Graphene Zero-Bias Sub-Terahertz Turnkey Detector with Above 43 GHz Bandwidth

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, antenna-coupled graphene detector operating in the sub-terahertz range with over 43 GHz bandwidth, enabling high-speed, low-power wireless communication and imaging applications.

Contribution

The work presents a novel, turnkey packaged graphene THz detector with optimized design for high bandwidth and zero-bias operation, overcoming previous coupling and bandwidth limitations.

Findings

Bandwidth exceeds 43 GHz

Achieves zero-bias operation

Provides a practical, packaged solution

Abstract

High-frequency terahertz (THz) detectors are vital for next-generation high-speed wireless communication systems. Graphene, with its high carrier mobility, broadband absorption, and weak electron-phonon coupling, offers great promise for ultra-fast THz photothermoelectric devices. Although graphene-based detectors in the infrared range have shown bandwidths above 500 GHz, extending their operation to the THz range is difficult because long-wavelength radiation does not efficiently couple to the small graphene area. To overcome this issue, THz antennas are often employed; however, their use typically limits system performance to only a few gigahertz due to parasitic effects. In this work, we present an antenna-coupled sub-THz graphene detector with a bandwidth exceeding 43 GHz. We optimized the detector design to minimize losses, match the antenna impedance to the 1 kOhm graphene channel, and maintain zero-bias operation. Importantly, we introduce a compact, turnkey packaged solution. Our results provide a practical route toward high-speed and low-power graphene THz detectors suitable for real-world communication and imaging applications.