Ultra-miniaturized thz communication device and system

Abstract

Ultra-miniaturized THz spectrometer/multi-channel receiver devices are provided. THz communication devices employ a THz transmitter, a THz receiver and a modulator, wherein the THz transmitter is configured to introduce a THz signal to the modulator and the THz receiver is configured to receive the THz signal from the modulator and demodulate the signal. Communication systems and methods employing the THz spectrometer/multi-channel receiver devices enable secure communications. Portable THz emitter devices are provided employing semiconductor lasers and a nonlinear birefringent waveguide monolithically integrated on the same substrate.

1 . A THz communication device comprising a THz transmitter, a THz receiver and a modulator, wherein the THz transmitter is configured to introduce a THz signal to the modulator and the THz receiver is configured to receive the THz signal from the modulator and demodulate the signal. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the THz transmitter is selected from a GaAs photomixer or an integrated waveguide photomixer. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the THz transmitter is an integrated waveguide photomixer. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the THz receiver is multi-channel receiver comprising a photonic bandgap THz spectrometer. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the receiver comprises a self-focusing element to direct and focus a dispersed THz signal, a detector array, and a filtering element 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the receiver comprises a photonic crystal prism and a pin-hole screen. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a GaAs photomixer comprising fiber-optic pigtail cables modulated by varying the voltage across the GaAs device. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a THz receiver comprising a bandpass filter. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  integrated on a InP substrate. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus comprising a plurality of THz transmitter and receivers in accordance with  claim 1 . 
   
   
       11 . A THz communication system comprising at least one THz transmitter, at least one THz receiver and at least one modulator, wherein the at least one THz transmitter is configured to introduce a THz signal to the at least one modulator and the at least one THz receiver is configured to receive THz signals from the at least one modulator and demodulate the signals. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the at least one THz transmitter, at least one THz receiver and at least one modulator are mounted on at least one vehicle within a range suitable for the at least one THz transmitter, at least one THz receiver and at least one modulator to transmit and receive signals. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the at least one THz transmitter, at least one THz receiver and at least one modulator are mounted on a plurality of vehicles. 
   
   
       13 . A portable THz emitter comprising at least two semiconductor lasers and a nonlinear birefringent waveguide monolithically integrated on the same substrate. 
   
   
       14 . The emitter of  claim 13  comprising an InP substrate. 
   
   
       15 . The emitter of  claim 13  wherein the birefringent waveguide provides phase matching for orthogonally polarized lasers. 
   
   
       16 . The emitter of  claim 13  wherein the lasers have different emission energies. 
   
   
       17 . A method of communication using THz signals comprising:
 generating a THz signal;   modulating the phase of the THz signal;   transmitting the modulated THz signal to a THz receiver; and   demodulating the THz signal at the THz receiver.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further including the step of generating THz radiation at the beating frequency of at least two lasers to provide individual laser beams, splitting each of the individual laser beams, mixing the split laser beams, recombining the laser beams and coupling the laser beams into fibers. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  comprising applying a voltage to the modulator.