Towards a terahertz short-range wireless communication system based on graphene devices

The HERMES project has the ambitious goal of providing breakthrough technological solutions towards the implementation of ultra-fast (100 Gbit/s) short-range wireless communication systems at room temperature, significantly surpassing existing technologies such as Wi-Fi 7 (40 Gbit/s) and 5G mmWave (10 Gbit/s).Such a technology would be a breakthrough for applications like monitoring, security, or sensing/medical. Most of the current technology limits in terms of data rate, carrier frequency, dimensions, energy efficiency, controllability, and tunability, are intrinsically related to the use of conventional materials and standard architectures.The HERMES project aims at overcoming these limits by demonstrating novel components of this envisaged system (emitters, detectors, and interfaces) that combine the advantages of using graphene and other 2D nanomaterials (high carrier mobilities, tunable charge carrier density, long lifetime of plasma waves) with that of operating in the THz range (high bandwidth and data rates).The HERMES project has the ambition to design, fabricate and validate- a novel THz emitter made by using graphene and a novel THz detector made by using 2D nanomaterials, both integrated into silicon and working at room temperature;- novel all-optical and electro-optical interfaces between THz devices and optical communication links.These goals will be achieved by the HERMES international network of academic and industrial partners, well-balanced in terms of competencies, expertise, and resources. Given the past achievements of the partners, a starting TRL 2 is estimated, while the final one will be TRL 4.The planned research, training, knowledge transfer, and networking actions will foster long-lasting research collaborations, strengthening existing ties (many created within MSCA actions) and establishing new links.The success of the HERMES project has the potential to strengthen Europe’s position in wireless technologies (6G and beyond).