Phototunable chip-scale topological photonics: 160 Gbps waveguide and demultiplexer for THz 6G communication

6G communication requires high-speed and advanced functionalities on-chip. Here the authors demonstrate broadband phototunable topological waveguide and demultiplexing chip with record single-channel 160 Gbit/s communication link and excellent channel isolation for 300 GHz band. The revolutionary 5G cellular systems represent a breakthrough in the communication network design to provide a single platform for enabling enhanced broadband communications, virtual reality, autonomous driving, and the internet of everything. However, the ongoing massive deployment of 5G networks has unveiled inherent limitations that have stimulated the demand for innovative technologies with a vision toward 6G communications. Terahertz (0.1-10 THz) technology has been identified as a critical enabler for 6G communications with the prospect of massive capacity and connectivity. Nonetheless, existing terahertz on-chip communication devices suffer from crosstalk, scattering losses, limited data speed, and insufficient tunability. Here, we demonstrate a new class of phototunable, on-chip topological terahertz devices consisting of a broadband single-channel 160 Gbit/s communication link and a silicon Valley Photonic Crystal based demultiplexer. The optically controllable demultiplexing of two different carriers modulated signals without crosstalk is enabled by the topological protection and a critically coupled high-quality (Q) cavity. As a proof of concept, we demultiplexed high spectral efficiency 40 Gbit/s signals and demonstrated real-time streaming of uncompressed high-definition (HD) video (1.5 Gbit/s) using the topological photonic chip. Phototunable silicon topological photonics will augment complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible terahertz technologies, vital for accelerating the development of futuristic 6G and 7G communication era driving the real-time terabits per second wireless connectivity for network sensing, holographic communication, and cognitive internet of everything.

Automated summary

Researchers demonstrate a phototunable topological waveguide and demultiplexing chip for 6G communication. The chip features a record-breaking single-channel 160 Gbit/s communication link and excellent channel isolation. This new class of phototunable, on-chip topological terahertz devices hold promise for achieving high-speed and advanced functionalities in future communication systems.