Novel structured materials and rapid prototyping techniques for research into advanced mux/demux modalities and enabling component manufacturing for the upcoming ultra-fast terahertz wireless communications

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The internet data traffic is continuing its exponential increase and is expected to reach 278 Exabytes/month by 2021. Similarly, the ever-increasing wireless communications data rate in the commercial markets is expected to be 100 Gbps by 2024. To meet the bandwidth demand, a shift towards higher carrier frequencies is unavoidable. The THz band (frequency:100 GHz-10 THz, wavelength:3 mm-30 µm) is seen by many as the next frontier in wireless communications. Over the past decade, significant research in components for THz communications resulted in a fair number of single-channel THz wireless system demonstrators. The next frontier in THz communication system design is the development of various multiplexing /demultiplexing modalities, enabling components and fabrication techniques that would allow further increase of the link capacity via simultaneous transmission of multiple THz data streams.******The proposed research program aims at development of the nano- and micro-structured optical materials as well as advanced 2D/3D device fabrications techniques to demonstrate novel THz components for future THz communication systems. The key functionality of such components is to enable high degree of multiplexing of the multiple data streams in the same data link. We will focus on the fundamental aspects of material science and optical component design/manufacturing by exploring novel transformative concepts of artificial materials (metamaterials) and rapid prototyping techniques (3d printing, etc.) to revolutionize how the THz components for future communication systems are manufactured. ******Examples of the novel device concepts that will be studied within this proposal include:*** highly frequency dispersive metamaterials using polaritonic materials for WDM components*** plasmonic ultra-high refractive index metamaterials for integrated THz photonics*** highly porous, while optically dense low-loss metamaterials for SDM and MDM devices*** novel strategies for 3D micro-structured THz material fabrication *** novel strategies for rapid THz component fabrication and dense 3D integration******In short, we propose to unlock new capabilities and explore new designs for high performance communication devices and systems by going 3D using state-of-the-art computer controlled additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques in combination with novel functional artificial materials based on dielectric, plasmonic and polaritonic materials. With this new paradigm, we aim at higher performance characteristics, more efficient and robust manufacturing, and novel operational principles. Additionally, we expect that achievement of results within this proposal will have importance to a broad range of applications, including microwave engineering, THz imaging, and novel fabrication techniques for E&M devices.******Finally, a significant number of HQPs (5 BScs, 2 MScs, 2 PhDs, 1 PDF) will be trained during the course of the proposal in the burgeoning field of ultra-fast communications.**