POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) Develops World’s Fastest Terahertz Optical Modulation Technology

Joint research with Pohang Accelerator Laboratory…to be used in ultra-fast data transmission

Ultra-fast active optical modulation technology based on terahertz metamaterials
[Provided by Pohang Accelerator Laboratory. Redistribution and DB prohibited]

(POHANG=Yonhap News) Reporter Son Daesung = Pohang Accelerator Laboratory in North Gyeongsang Province announced on the 7th that Dr. Shin Hee-jun’s research team, in collaboration with Professor Roh Joon-seok’s team at POSTECH, has developed the world’s fastest terahertz (㎔)-band optical modulation technology.

Optical modulation technology controls the intensity, frequency, and phase of light to convey information.

This technology can be applied to holographic displays capable of implementing 3D images, pulse wave control used in precision experiments and measurements, and ultra-fast data transmission using light.

In particular, terahertz waves have a much wider bandwidth than conventional microwaves, making them applicable in 6th-generation (6G) communications, quantum communications, and optical communications.

As a result, researchers domestically and abroad are actively researching terahertz-band optical modulation technology to control ultra-fast optical signals.

The Pohang Accelerator Laboratory and POSTECH research team utilized the Pohang Light Source to significantly improve optical modulation speed, successfully achieving the world’s shortest switching speed of 1.3 picoseconds (one trillionth of a second).

The research team explained, “The significance lies in developing a technology faster than existing terahertz-band optical modulation technologies.”

This research can be applied to various fields such as ultra-fast data transmission, next-generation image processing systems, and precision medical diagnostics.

The results of this study were published in the online edition of the global academic journal, Advanced Science.

Dr. Shin stated, “This research marks an important milestone in overcoming the temporal limits of optical modulation speed in the terahertz frequency band.”

[email protected]