PLASNANO PROJECT
Concept of Plasnano Project
The PLASNANO project seeks to transform the way we generate and amplify terahertz (THz) waves, which are essential for future technologies in communications, medical imaging, and security. Terahertz waves are a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies between microwaves and infrared light, and they hold great potential for high-speed wireless communication and advanced sensing applications. However, current technologies for creating and amplifying THz waves are limited by low power and narrow bandwidth, preventing them from reaching their full potential in real-world applications.
PLASNANO aims to overcome these limitations by using cutting-edge materials called two-dimensional (2D) materials, which are extremely thin and have unique properties that make them ideal for amplifying THz waves. By integrating these materials with established semiconductor technologies, the project will create powerful and efficient THz amplifiers. These amplifiers will help boost the performance of THz devices, making them more practical and accessible for a wide range of industries.
The key innovation of PLASNANO is its ability to harness surface plasmons—special waves that occur when light interacts with the surface of certain materials. By controlling these plasmons in 2D materials, the project will create a new generation of THz amplifiers that are smaller, faster, and more powerful than ever before. These amplifiers will be easily integrated into existing technologies, making it possible to develop smaller, more efficient THz-based systems for applications like high-speed internet, advanced medical imaging, and security scanners.
As a proof of concept, PLASNANO will:
- Develop high performance 2D materials for THz applications
- Provide a unique multi-physics computation model that bridges the atomistic level to the complete amplifier system.
- Create a groundbreaking THz amplifier integrated with state-of-the-art silicon-germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS technology using microtransfer printing.
PLASNANO’s innovative approach promises to unlock the potential of THz technology, paving the way for new advancements in communications, healthcare, and security. This version simplifies the technical aspects while retaining the core message and impact of the project, making it easier for a non-expert audience to understand.
The technological breakthrough of SMARTWAY relies on the integration of the following components into the standard high-volume and cost-effective silicon-based technologies to propose radical and innovative solutions: 1) Metamaterials, 2) Two-dimensional material-based antennas, and 3) Carbon nanotube-based filters and switches.
Smartway Objectives:
The originality and innovation of the SMARTWAY project consists in the simultaneous exploitation of advanced nanomaterials (i.e., 2D materials and CNTs) and of the MM concept for the achievement of two main objects corresponding to the realisation of two demonstrators:
1) Objective 1 (Demonstrator 1 ):
design, fabrication, and experimental characterisation of a 300GHz radar chipset with MM-based on-chip or on interposer antennas. Based upon the specifications provided by the industrial partners of the consortium, we will design a T/R module embedding a metal antenna integrated with MMs for gain enhancement at THz frequencies. In this case, the interposer will come from IHP, hence from the NANOPOLY project in which IHP developed the 300GHz bow-tie antenna
2) Objective 2 (Demonstrator 1):
design, fabrication, and experimental characterisation of a 60GHz radar chipset integrating MMs, 2D materials, CNT-based filters, and CNT-based switches for radar communications. Based upon the specifications provided by the industrial partners of the consortium, we will design two versions of a MM-based antenna, i.e., a metal antenna or a 2D material-based antenna (graphene, nanocrystalline graphene etc.). In the case of the metal antenna, the exploitation of the MMs will allow a further miniaturization, an increase of the gain/radiation efficiency/directivity, an enhancement of the bandwidth, or a multi-band functionality. In the case of the 2D antennas, we will match the intrinsic tunability (amplitude of the radiated field and resonance frequency) of the 2D materials with the gain improvement offered by the MMs, thus compensating the medium-low radiation efficiency achievable when using such nanoscale materials.
The Plasnano project is funded by European Innovation Council program under the grant agreement No 101099552.
About Plasnano
PLASNANO aims to revolutionize terahertz (THz) technology by developing novel plasmonic amplifiers based on advanced 2D materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. These amplifiers will be seamlessly integrated into SiGe BiCMOS platforms using innovative microtransfer printing (µTP) techniques. The project will also create a multi-scale modeling platform to optimize device design, efficiency, and interactions between THz waves and 2D materials. By delivering compact, high-power, and broadband THz technologies, PLASNANO enables transformative applications in wireless communication, imaging, sensing, and security, positioning itself as a leader in the rapidly expanding THz market.
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