The computing speeds in modern multi-core processors and big data servers are no longer limited by the on-chip transistor density that doubles every two years following the Moore's law, but are limited by the on-chip data communication between memories and microprocessor cores. Realization of integrated, low-cost, and efficient solutions for high speed, on-chip data communications require terahertz (THz) interconnect waveguides with tremendous significance in future THz technology 1-8 including THz-wave integrated circuits and THz communication. However, conventional approaches to THz waveguiding 4,9-11 suffer from sensitivity to defects and considerable bending losses at sharp bends. Here, building on the recently-discovered topological phase of light 12-14 , we experimentally demonstrate robust THz topological valley transport on low-loss, all-silicon chips. We show that the valley-polarized topological kink states exhibit unity transmission over a bulk band gap even after propagating through ten sharp corners. Such states are excellent information carriers due to their robustness, single-mode propagation, and linear dispersionkey properties for next generation THz communications. By leveraging the unique properties of kink states, we demonstrate error-free communication through a highly-twisted domain wall at an unprecedented data rate (~10 Gbit/s) and uncompressed 4K high-definition video transmission. Our work provides the first experimental demonstration of the topological phases of THz wave, which could certainly inspire a plethora of research on different types of topological phases in two and three dimensions.

No abstract

Conventional photonic-crystal waveguides make use of an equilateral triangular lattice of through holes, here we develop an isosceles triangular lattice photonic-crystal waveguide based on a silicon slab at 0.3 terahertz (THz) band, for THz high-speed communications. The propagation loss of the proposed waveguide is as small as ∼1/10, compared with that of a conventional waveguide under the conditions of broadband bandwidth (>20 GHz) for both the loss and dispersion, due to the broadband low-dispersion below the light line of air, at which low-loss conditions are satisfied. Finally, we demonstrate 36 Gbit s−1 error-free THz communications using the isosceles triangular lattice photonic-crystal waveguide.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract