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Very-large-scale reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for dynamic control of terahertz and millimeter waves

Author

Listed:
  • Yury Malevich

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • M. Said Ergoktas

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester
    University of Bath, Claverton Down)

  • Gokhan Bakan

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • Pietro Steiner

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

  • Coskun Kocabas

    (University of Manchester
    University of Manchester
    University of Manchester)

Abstract

Unlocking the potential of terahertz (THz) and millimeter (mm) waves for next generation communications and imaging applications requires reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) with programmable elements that can manipulate the waves in real-time. Realization of this technology has been hindered by the lack of efficient THz electro-optical materials and scalable THz semiconductor platform. Here, by merging graphene-based THz modulators and the thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, we demonstrate very-large-scale (>300000 pixels) spatial light modulator with individually addressable subwavelength pixels. We demonstrate electronically programmable reflection and transmission patterns of THz light over a large area with unprecedent levels of uniformity and reproducibility. To highlight the potential of these devices, we demonstrate a single pixel mm-wave camera capable of imaging metallic objects. Furthermore, we demonstrate dynamic beam steering with reconfigurable direction pattern. We anticipate that these results will provide realistic pathways to structure THz waves for applications in non-invasive THz imaging and next generation THz communications.

Suggested Citation

  • Yury Malevich & M. Said Ergoktas & Gokhan Bakan & Pietro Steiner & Coskun Kocabas, 2025. "Very-large-scale reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for dynamic control of terahertz and millimeter waves," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58256-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58256-w
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    2. Hou-Tong Chen & Willie J. Padilla & Joshua M. O. Zide & Arthur C. Gossard & Antoinette J. Taylor & Richard D. Averitt, 2006. "Active terahertz metamaterial devices," Nature, Nature, vol. 444(7119), pages 597-600, November.
    3. Berardi Sensale-Rodriguez & Rusen Yan & Michelle M. Kelly & Tian Fang & Kristof Tahy & Wan Sik Hwang & Debdeep Jena & Lei Liu & Huili Grace Xing, 2012. "Broadband graphene terahertz modulators enabled by intraband transitions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, January.
    4. Rayko Ivanov Stantchev & Xiao Yu & Thierry Blu & Emma Pickwell-MacPherson, 2020. "Real-time terahertz imaging with a single-pixel detector," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
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