Group mm-Wave / THz Elec­tron­ics-Photon­ics

The mm-Wave / THz Electronics - Photonics subgroup researches photonic-assisted wireless circuits and systems with carrier frequencies up to over 1 THz, such as 7G mobile communication or wireless measurement technology like radar and lidar. A particular focus is on spatially distributed systems. The angular resolution of any system with phased array antennas is proportional to the wavelength and inversely proportional to the antenna aperture. However, the high losses of electrical lines at small wavelengths limit the maximum antenna aperture. In contrast, fiber optic cables have hardly any losses and are therefore ideally suited for systems with almost any antenna aperture. However, this requires the detour via optics. A particular focus of the subgroup is to research new circuit architectures and system concepts for the monolithic integration of optics and electronics. This includes, among other things, novel amplifier topologies.

In the subgroup, the new circuit architectures and system concepts are researched at various levels of integration and technological maturity. This includes the construction of demonstrators using discrete components up to monolithically integrated electronic-photonic circuits in modern SiGe BiCMOS and CMOS SOI technologies.

Furthermore, synergies of mm-Wave / THz Electronics - Photonics with the field of quantum optics are also being explored. In this context, the world’s first quantum noise-limited lidar system, which was developed in the subgroup in collaboration with the Integrated Quantum Optics group, should be mentioned.

Re­lated Pro­jects

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Stephan Kruse

System and Circuit Technology / Heinz Nixdorf Institut

Write email +49 5251 60-6338