This advancement could transform high-speed data networks, 6G communications, and advanced imaging technologies.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have achieved a major breakthrough in optical data transmission, developing the first plasmonic modulator capable of transmitting data at over a terahertz (1 trillion oscillations per second). This milestone, led by Professor Jürg Leuthold’s team, far surpasses previous limits of 100-200 gigahertz.
Plasmonic modulators are essential components that convert electrical signals into optical ones for transmission through fiber optics. They play a crucial role in high-speed data communication, serving as a bridge between electrical circuits and optical networks. The new modulator’s ability to operate across a broad frequency range—from 10 megahertz to 1.14 terahertz—offers unprecedented flexibility in applications.
The development comes at a critical time as 6G mobile networks, expected to rely on terahertz frequencies, continue to advance. Optical fiber technology serves as the backbone for these networks, connecting base stations and ensuring efficient data transfer. “Our modulator enables the direct and efficient conversion of radio and electrical signals into optical signals,” explained Yannik Horst, a researcher who worked on the project during his doctoral studies.
Beyond telecommunications, the breakthrough has implications for medicine, high-performance computing, and security technology. Current terahertz signal conversion methods require multiple expensive components, increasing energy consumption and complexity. The new modulator streamlines this process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
Potential applications include high-speed optical fiber communication for data centers, advanced medical imaging, spectroscopy for material analysis, and airport security scanners. Many of these technologies already use terahertz frequencies, making the new modulator an ideal fit for next-generation systems.
The device itself is a nanoscale structure composed of materials like gold, leveraging the interaction between light and free electrons. Developed at ETH Zurich and manufactured by Polariton Technologies, a spin-off from Leuthold’s group, the modulator is now being prepared for commercial deployment.
With its ability to handle vast amounts of data at record-breaking speeds, this innovation could revolutionize data transmission and high-frequency measurement technology, paving the way for faster, more efficient communication networks.
