by Researchers at the Department of Physics at UNIST, led by Professor Hyong-Ryeol Park, have made a breakthrough in terahertz (THz) wave amplification technology. The team has successfully amplified THz electromagnetic waves by over 30,000 times, a development that could revolutionize the commercialization of 6G communication frequencies. Collaborating with Professor Joon Sue Lee from the University of Tennessee and Professor Mina Yoon from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the team optimized the THz nano-resonator specifically for 6G communication using advanced optimization technology.
The research findings, published in Nano Letters, highlight the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) learning based on a physical theoretical model. This integration allows for the efficient design of THz nano-resonators on personal computers, a process that was previously time-consuming and demanded the use of supercomputers.
To assess the efficiency of the newly developed nano-resonator, the team conducted a series of THz electromagnetic wave transmission experiments. The results were remarkable, with the electric field generated by the THz nano-resonator surpassing general electromagnetic waves by a factor of over 30,000. This represents an efficiency improvement of more than 300% compared to previously reported THz nano-resonators.
Previously, AI-based inverse design technology focused on designing optical device structures within the visible or infrared ranges, which made up only a fraction of the wavelength. However, applying this technology to the 6G communication frequency range (0.075–0.3 THz) posed challenges due to the significantly smaller scale, approximately one-millionth the size of the wavelength. Professor Park explains that to overcome these challenges, the research team combined a new THz nano-resonator with an AI-based inverse design method based on a physical theoretical model. This approach allowed for device optimization in less than 40 hours on personal computers, compared to the previously required tens of hours for a single simulation or potentially hundreds of years for a single device optimization.
The study’s first author, Young-Taek Lee from the Department of Physics at UNIST, emphasized the versatility of the optimized nano-resonator. It can be utilized in ultra-precise detectors, ultra-small molecular detection sensors, and bolometer studies. Lee adds that the methodology employed in this study is not limited to specific nanostructures but can be extended to various studies using physical theoretical models of different wavelengths or structures.
Professor Park emphasizes the significance of understanding physical phenomena in conjunction with AI technology. While AI may appear to be a solution to all problems, understanding the underlying physical principles remains crucial. This breakthrough in THz wave amplification technology brings us one step closer to the commercialization of 6G communication frequencies and enables advancements in various fields that rely on precise detection.
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