On-chip topological demodulator for 6G THz wireless communications

Objective

Recent advancements in terahertz (THz) technology have unlocked the po-tential for ultra-high-speed wireless communication, with data rates far sur-passing those of current 5G systems. Operating in the 300-600 GHz range, future 6G systems could enable wireless transmission rates of up to 1000 gi-gabits-per-second, revolutionizing applications like metropolitan networks and uncompressed video transfer. However, current THz technologies face challenges, especially in demodulating high-frequency signals. Existing la-boratory solutions rely on bulky, expensive electronics with limited band-width, high noise, and non-linearity, hindering the scalability of THz com-munication. In this project, we propose developing an on-chip topological coherent de-modulator for THz signals using topological photonic crystals, which ex-hibit robust, low-backscattering wave propagation. Leveraging the valley Hall effect in photonic crystals, the device will feature waveguides, beamsplitters, mixers, and balanced detection outputs, integrated on a silicon chip. This all-optical architecture offers a significant improvement over tra-ditional electronics-based systems, with a target demodulation bandwidth over 50 GHz for signals at 300 GHz. The proposed solution will address key bottlenecks in current THz technolo-gy, including size, bandwidth, and signal-to-noise ratio. As one of the first functional on-chip demodulators for THz frequencies, this device sets a new standard for future applications. Its compact design, scalability, and en-hanced performance position it as a key enabler for 6G wireless systems, driving ultra-fast data transfer for real-world use cases.