The world of wireless communication and non-invasive imaging is on the verge of a major leap forward, thanks to a groundbreaking innovation from The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute. Researchers there have unveiled a new class of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) that can dynamically control terahertz (THz) and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signals. This breakthrough could serve as a cornerstone for future wireless technologies, including the much-anticipated 6G network, while also opening doors for highly advanced, non-invasive imaging systems.
The research, detailed in a recent publication in Nature Communications, addresses significant technological challenges that have long hindered the progress of manipulating THz and mm-wave frequencies in practical applications. What sets this new development apart is the introduction of an active spatial light modulator with over 300,000 sub-wavelength pixels, capable of manipulating THz light in both transmission and reflection modes.
Unprecedented Control over THz Waves
Traditional modulators have faced limitations in scale and functionality, often restricted to small-scale prototypes or laboratory experiments. However, the University of Manchester team has made a breakthrough by integrating graphene-based THz modulators with large-area thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays, offering high-speed, programmable control over both the amplitude and phase of THz light over vast areas. This achievement is not only a technological feat but also opens up new avenues for the high-speed manipulation of THz and mm-wave signals, essential for the development of future wireless communication systems.
According to Professor Coskun Kocabas, a leading researcher and Professor of 2D Device Materials at The University of Manchester, this innovation represents a major leap in how we can dynamically control THz waves. “We have developed a new method to dynamically control THz waves at an unprecedented scale and speed. By integrating graphene optoelectronics with advanced TFT display technologies, we can now reconfigure complex THz wavefronts in real time,” he explains. This ability to control THz waves on a large scale is crucial for realizing future technologies, particularly in the realm of 6G communications.
Key Features and Capabilities
One of the most impressive aspects of this research is the range of functionalities demonstrated by the new device. The team has successfully demonstrated programmable THz transmission patterns, beam steering, grayscale holography, and even proof-of-concept single-pixel THz imaging. These features, made possible by fine-tuning the electrostatic gating of graphene, allow for precise control over the THz waves’ phase and amplitude, enabling new possibilities in both communication and imaging.
Graphene, known for its remarkable electrical and optical properties, particularly at THz frequencies, plays a central role in the technology. The researchers fine-tune local charge densities on a continuous graphene sheet, allowing for pixel-level control without the need for intricate graphene patterning. This method, according to Dr. M. Said Ergoktas, now a lecturer at the University of Bath, offers a scalable solution for fabricating large-area modulators using commercial display backplanes.
Practical Applications and Future Potential
While the technology’s potential for reconfiguring THz wavefronts is impressive on its own, the team also demonstrated several practical applications that highlight its real-world impact. One of the most exciting innovations is the creation of a single-pixel THz camera capable of imaging concealed metallic objects. This development has far-reaching implications for industries such as security, industrial monitoring, and medical diagnostics, where the ability to inspect materials or objects without the need for direct contact is invaluable.
The single-pixel THz camera works by reconstructing images from modulated THz patterns using compressive sensing algorithms. This technique, which has been used in other imaging technologies, allows for the construction of high-quality images despite having fewer data points. The system can detect hidden metallic objects, making it a promising tool for security screening or industrial quality control.
In terms of wireless communication, the team’s technology could also revolutionize data transmission. The researchers showcased how their device could generate complex, structured THz beams that carry orbital angular momentum (OAM). This feature could be pivotal in advanced communication systems, allowing for higher capacity data transfer and the multiplexing of data channels. One demonstration involved a binary “fork” diffraction pattern that generated donut-shaped beams with tunable vortex order. This ability to manipulate the vortex order of THz beams could enable highly efficient multiplexed data transmission, a crucial aspect of future wireless networks like 6G.
Overcoming Past Limitations
As Professor Kocabas points out, previous THz modulators struggled with issues related to both scale and speed. This new development overcomes these barriers by integrating display technologies with advanced graphene-based optoelectronics. The result is a system that can not only handle large-area manipulation of THz signals but can do so with a speed and precision that was previously unattainable. “Until now, THz modulators have struggled with scale and speed,” Kocabas noted. “By leveraging display technology, we demonstrate that it’s possible to bring this field from lab-scale demonstrations to real-world applications.”
By harnessing the power of display backplane technology, the researchers have bridged the gap between theoretical possibilities and practical, scalable devices. This breakthrough is a significant step toward making advanced THz systems commercially viable for a wide range of applications, from communication systems to imaging technologies.
Looking Ahead: Integration with 6G and Advanced Beamforming
While this breakthrough marks a significant milestone, the team is already focused on future enhancements. The next phase of the research involves increasing the modulation speeds of the devices and extending their functionality to operate in reflection mode for full spectroscopic imaging. These improvements will enable even more versatile applications, including more advanced imaging systems and higher-capacity communication networks.
Future developments also look set to focus on integrating these systems with advanced beamforming techniques, which are expected to be crucial for the deployment of 6G wireless technologies. Beamforming, which allows signals to be directed in specific directions rather than being broadcast broadly, is essential for optimizing the efficiency and capacity of next-generation wireless networks. By integrating the new graphene-based modulator with beamforming technologies, the team hopes to create even more powerful systems capable of supporting the enormous data throughput demands of 6G.
A New Era in Wireless Communications and Imaging
The team’s research represents a key breakthrough in the field of THz and mm-wave technologies, providing a platform that could serve as the foundation for a wide array of next-generation applications. From the reconfigurable surfaces that enable high-speed, programmable control of THz signals to the innovative single-pixel THz camera capable of non-invasive imaging, the implications for both wireless communication and medical technology are profound.
This technology opens the door for wireless networks that can handle exponentially larger amounts of data, while also providing new ways to inspect materials and objects without the need for invasive methods. Whether it’s reshaping the landscape of 6G wireless communication or advancing non-invasive imaging techniques, the possibilities are limitless.
The researchers at The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute have proven that the future of wireless technology and imaging is not just a distant dream but a tangible reality on the horizon. With their innovative use of graphene and TFT technology, they have set the stage for a revolution in how we think about and use THz and mm-wave frequencies in everyday applications.
Reference: Yury Malevich et al, Very-large-scale reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for dynamic control of terahertz and millimeter waves, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58256-w