Development of continuous-wave terahertz light source with broadband and room temperature operation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K04274
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 21060:Electron device and electronic equipment-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
• Principal Investigator: Kaji Takahiro 国立研究開発法人情報通信研究機構, 未来ICT研究所神戸フロンティア研究センター, 主任研究員 (40573134)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 電気光学ポリマー / テラヘルツ波発生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aiming to realize continuous-wave (CW) terahertz wave generation devices that can operate at room temperature in the entire terahertz region (0.1 to 10 THz or higher), we developed devices using electro-optic (EO) polymers, which enable highly efficient and ultra-wideband (20 THz or higher) terahertz wave generation. We prototyped and evaluated slab waveguide-type terahertz wave generation devices, waveguide-type terahertz wave generation devices having air gap structures, and waveguide-type terahertz wave receiving devices having array antennas and ground electrodes by using a process technology of transferring a pre-poled EO polymer film. We demonstrated the generation of terahertz waves by the waveguide-type devices using a small and low-power femtosecond fiber laser.

Free Research Field

有機光デバイス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、EOポリマーを用いた導波路型デバイスによるテラヘルツ波発生に成功した先駆的な成果であり、超大容量・超高速無線通信や非接触・非侵襲での物体センシングの実現のために必要となる全テラヘルツ領域（0.1～10 THz以上）にて動作可能な小型かつ室温動作のCWテラヘルツ光源の実現につながる成果である。