A Graphene Chip Filters Light to Boost Communications
April 6, 2016 | Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneEstimated reading time: 1 minute
A microchip that filters out unwanted radiation with the help of graphene has been developed by scientists from the EPFL and tested by researchers of the University of Geneva (UNIGE). The invention could be used in future devices to transmit wireless data ten times faster.
EPFL and UNIGE scientists have developed a microchip using graphene that could help wireless telecommunications share data at a rate that is ten times faster than currently possible. The results are published today in Nature Communications.
"Our graphene based microchip is an essential building block for faster wireless telecommunications in frequency bands that current mobile devices cannot access," says EPFL scientist Michele Tamagnone.
Graphene acts like polarized sunglasses
Their microchip works by protecting sources of wireless data -- which are essentially sources of invisible radiation -- from unwanted radiation, ensuring that the data remain intact by reducing source corruption.
They discovered that graphene can filter out radiation in much the same way as polarized glasses. The vibration of radiation has an orientation. Like polarized glasses, their graphene-based microchip makes sure that radiation that only vibrates a certain way gets through. In this way, graphene is both transparent and opaque to radiation, depending on the orientation of vibration and signal direction. The EPFL scientists and their colleagues from Geneva used this property to create a device known as an optical isolator.
Faster Uploads in the Terahertz Bandwidth
Moreover, their microchip works in a frequency band that is currently empty, called the terahertz gap.
Wireless devices work today by transmitting data in the gigahertz range or at optical frequencies. This is imposed by technological constraints, leaving the potential of the terahertz band currently unexploited for data transmission.
But if wireless devices could use this terahertz bandwidth, your future mobile phone could potentially send or receive data tens of times faster than now, meaning better sound quality, better image quality and faster uploads.
The graphene-based microchip brings this terahertz technology a step closer to reality. This discovery addresses an important challenge that was so far unsolved due to lacking technologies, confirming once more the extraordinary physical properties of graphene.
This joint project between EPFL and the University of Geneva was funded by the European Graphene Flagship project and by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Industrial Quality Solutions from Zeiss
04/23/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEditor Nolan Johnson and Herminso Gomez of Zeiss Group discuss the company's industrial quality solutions, with a focus on X-ray technology. Zeiss provides a range of microscopy options and Herminso highlights the advantages of X-ray technology for aerospace, medical, and consumer electronics sectors.
Altair Acquires Cambridge Semantics, Powering Next-Generation Enterprise Data Fabrics and Generative AI
04/22/2024 | AltairAltair a global leader in computational intelligence, acquired Cambridge Semantics, a modern data fabric provider and creator of one of the industry’s leading analytical graph databases.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/19/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineFor my must-read picks of the week, I’m highlighting Parker Capers, a young professional seeking employment, solid counsel from Dan Beaulieu on what your post-show plan should look like, more information and insight on “chiplets” and the need for secure data transfer standards from columnist Preeya Kuray, as well as Matt Stevenson’s design for reality wisdom. It’s a reminder to download one of our newest books (there are several) you don't want to miss if you are an assembler.
D Coupon Testing and Data Insights With GreenSource Fabrication
04/17/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineMarcy LaRont spoke with Steve Karas of GreenSource Fabrication at the SMTA UHDI conference in March. He presented a case study that GreenSource undertook with a customer on critical via reliability with advanced materials and used the experience to highlight the importance and effectiveness of D coupon testing. He also discussed GreenSource’s approach to data aggregation and a new system they developed to use collected data effectively.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Innovations in Thermal, Warpage, and Strain Metrology
04/17/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEditor Nolan Johnson talks with Neil Hubble, president of Akrometrix, about the company's leadership in thermal, warpage, and strain metrology. Neil details how Akrometrix is committed to addressing customer challenges through technological evolution, innovative solutions, and a focus on data processing. A tabletop unit for thermal warpage testing is showcased at IPC APEX EXPO this year.