Authors: Diego Correas-Serrano and J. Sebastian Gomez-Diaz
Source: FERMAT, Volume 20, Article 5, Mar.-Apr., 2017
Abstract: We review the use of graphene to develop reconfigurable, miniaturized, and efficient terahertz (THz) antennas and associated feeding networks, and attempt to identify current research trends and mid- and long-term challenges and prospects. We first discuss the state of the art in resonant, leaky-wave and reflectarray antennas, providing a critical assessment of their performance, limitations, and main challenges that remain to be addressed. Next, we examine different integrated feeding networks, including components such as switches, filters, and phase shifters, and we clarify the impact that graphene’s intrinsic spatial dispersion may have in their performance. Our outlook clearly describes how graphene can bring exotic functionalities to all these devices, including quasi real-time reconfiguration capabilities and magnet-less non-reciprocal responses. Some exciting applications of THz antennas are then presented and discussed, including transceivers, biosensors, and first experimental realizations of detectors and modulators. We conclude by outlining our vision for the promising future of graphene-based THz antennas.
Index Terms: Terahertz, graphene, dipoles, leaky-wave antennas, reflectarrays, reconfigurability, non-reciprocity, sensors.
View PDF
Graphene-based Antennas for Terahertz Systems: A Review