Amplitude and Frequency Modulation with an On-chip Graphene-based Plasmonic Terahertz Nanogenerator

Terahertz communication is envisioned as a key technology not only for the next generation of macro-scale networks (e.g., 6 G), but also for transformative networking applications at the nanoscale (e.g., wireless nanosensor networks and wireless networks on chip). In this paper, an on-chip THz nano-generator with amplitude and frequency modulation capabilities is presented. The proposed device uses and leverages the tunability of the Dyakonov-Shur instability for the growth and modulation of plasmonic oscillations in the two-dimensional electron gas channel of a graphene-based high-electron-mobility transistor. An in-house developed finite-element-methods platform, which self-consistently solves the hydrodynamic model and Maxwell's equations, is utilized to provide extensive numerical results demonstrating the device's functionality along with ultra-wide bandwidth and high modulation index capabilities.