New silicon chip enables high-speed terahertz data transmission, could advance 6G networks
- IBEF
- November 6, 2026
Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a new silicon chip. The chip can transmit terahertz waves through engineered barriers with minimal signal loss, achieving data speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second (Gbit/s). The development could support future sixth generation (6G) wireless networks, which are expected to operate at terahertz frequencies offering substantial bandwidth. Using topological photonics, the researchers designed a silicon photonic crystal with triangular holes arranged in a honeycomb pattern resembling graphene’s lattice. This design allows terahertz waves to travel along boundaries while resisting certain types of backscattering. Tests showed that a single engineered barrier caused only about 1-2% signal loss, while two consecutive barriers resulted in losses of around 2-3%. In comparison, similar barriers caused significant transmission losses in conventional waveguides.
The team fabricated three devices using high-resistivity silicon, a material compatible with established semiconductor manufacturing processes. These were a waveguide with two consecutive barriers, an omega-shaped structure with four sharp bends and a central barrier, and a power splitter with a barrier in one branch. The double-barrier and omega-shaped devices achieved speeds of 48 Gbit/s and 60 Gbit/s, respectively, while the power splitter supported transmission at 100 Gbit/s using QAM-32 modulation. The study, led by Assistant Professor at JNCASR Dr. Abhishek Kumar, has been published in the journal Advanced Materials. The findings could pave the way for compact terahertz circuits capable of routing and splitting high-speed signals on a single chip.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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