Polariton's plasmonic modulators beat previous records

(CONNECT) Polariton Technologies AG, a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), is setting a new standard in electro-optical (EO) modulators in collaboration with ETH. In a freely accessible study, they have demonstrated that the EO bandwidth of Polariton's new state-of-the-art plasmon modulators extends into the terahertz (THz) range. According to a statement from Polariton, this means they have beaten previous records.

"This achievement confirms the potential of plasmonic modulators to bring Thz frequencies into photonic integrated circuits," first author of the study Dr. Yannik Horst is quoted as saying. "For many years, their capability beyond 500 GHz was just theory." Thanks to an optimized modulator design and improved electronics, measurements up to 1.1 THz are now possible.

According to Dr. Wolfgang Heni, Co-CTO of Polariton, these results "demonstrate the tremendous utility of plasmonic modulators, from high data rate fiber optic communications to simple, linear, ultra-wideband THz receivers. The linear DC-to-THz bandwidth within a single device enables broadband field detection over a wide frequency range. Consequently, such devices open up numerous new applications in THz imaging, sensing and wireless communications."

The successful demonstration of bandwidths beyond 1 THz marks a significant milestone in the field of photonics, according to Prof. Jürg Leuthold, Head of the ETH Institute for Electromagnetic Fields: "It paves the way for new avenues in research and development, and we are excited about the potential applications that this breakthrough will enable." ce/mm