JNCASR Terahertz Chip: Achieves 100 Gbps Speed for Future 6G Technology

JNCASR terahertz chip achieves 100 Gbps data transmission using topological photonics. Learn about photonic Klein tunnelling, 6G technology and key facts for competitive exams.

1. Introduction: India’s Breakthrough in Terahertz Communication Technology

Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, have developed an innovative silicon photonic chip capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). The breakthrough uses a scientific technique known as topological photonics and could contribute to the development of next-generation 6G communication technologies.

The chip allows terahertz waves to travel through specially engineered obstacles with minimal signal loss. This addresses one of the major challenges in developing compact, high-speed communication circuits, where signals can weaken due to sharp bends, barriers and changes in the transmission pathway.

The research demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in advanced materials science, photonics and next-generation telecommunications. Press Information Bureau+1

2. What Is Topological Photonics?

Topological photonics is an advanced field of science that studies how the structural properties of materials can control the movement of light and electromagnetic waves. It uses specially designed structures to guide electromagnetic signals along particular pathways while reducing their vulnerability to certain disturbances.

In this research, scientists designed a silicon photonic crystal containing triangular holes arranged in a pattern resembling the honeycomb structure of graphene. This arrangement creates special pathways that allow terahertz waves to travel along the boundaries between different regions.

These pathways help protect signals against certain forms of backscattering, which occurs when electromagnetic waves are reflected towards their source. This feature makes topological photonics particularly useful for developing reliable and efficient communication devices.

3. Photonic Klein Tunnelling: The Technology Behind the Breakthrough

The most significant feature of the research is the demonstration of a phenomenon called photonic Klein tunnelling.

Inspired by the Klein tunnelling effect in quantum physics, this phenomenon allows electromagnetic waves to pass through certain engineered barriers that would ordinarily obstruct or weaken their transmission.

The researchers introduced artificial barriers into the silicon photonic crystal by modifying the sizes of triangular holes along a short section of the waveguide. Instead of experiencing substantial signal loss, terahertz waves continued to pass through these barriers.

The experiments demonstrated that transmission remained close to its original level when the engineered barrier strength stayed below a particular threshold determined by the photonic crystal’s coupling strength. This finding provides an important design principle for developing efficient terahertz circuits. Press Information Bureau+1

4. Key Experimental Findings and Data Transmission Speeds

The research team fabricated and tested three different silicon-based devices using high-resistivity silicon, a material compatible with established semiconductor manufacturing processes.

The devices demonstrated the following results:

One of the most important findings was that a single engineered barrier caused only around 1–2% signal loss, while two barriers in sequence resulted in approximately 2–3% loss.

The researchers conducted measurements across the 310–360 GHz frequency range. The power splitter achieved the highest transmission speed of 100 Gbps using QAM-32 modulation, a technique that encodes information through changes in the amplitude and phase of signals.

The nearly identical output signals from the power splitter further demonstrated the effectiveness of the technology. Press Information Bureau+1

5. What Are Terahertz Waves?

Terahertz (THz) waves are electromagnetic waves located between microwaves and infrared radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are generally associated with frequencies ranging from approximately 0.1 to 10 THz.

These waves are attracting considerable attention because their high frequencies offer the potential for extremely high data transmission capacity.

Important characteristics of terahertz waves include:

• High bandwidth: They offer opportunities for transmitting large volumes of information.
• Advanced communication: They could support future high-speed wireless communication systems.
• Scientific applications: They are useful in imaging, spectroscopy, sensing and material analysis.
• Technical challenges: Signal scattering, reflection and atmospheric absorption can make their transmission difficult.

The JNCASR team demonstrated its chip’s performance in the 310–360 GHz range, which falls within the terahertz frequency band.

6. Importance of the Breakthrough for Future 6G Networks

The development of 6G communication technology is expected to require significantly higher data capacity, faster transmission and improved network performance.

Terahertz frequencies are being explored as a possible solution to these requirements. However, efficiently guiding terahertz waves through compact circuits has remained a major technological challenge.

The JNCASR innovation could help address this problem by allowing electromagnetic signals to cross engineered barriers and navigate complex pathways with limited transmission loss.

The technology could contribute to:

• Development of high-capacity 6G communication systems.
• Faster data transmission through terahertz photonic circuits.
• Compact optical and photonic integrated circuits.
• Improved signal routing and splitting.
• More efficient semiconductor-based communication devices.

However, the achievement represents a laboratory research demonstration and does not mean that commercial 6G networks currently provide 100 Gbps wireless services. Press Information Bureau

7. Research Team and Institution Behind the Innovation

The research was led by Dr Abhishek Kumar, Assistant Professor at JNCASR and head of its Meta Optics Laboratory (MetoLab).

Samina Mulla and Sangram Kumar Sadhu were the joint first authors of the research. Scientists from JNCASR, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay also contributed to the project.

International collaborators included researchers from A*STAR, Singapore, and the University of Lille and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France.

The research paper, titled Photonic Klein Tunnelling in Silicon Topological Materials for Terahertz 6G Interconnects, was published in the scientific journal Advanced Materials on 11 October 2026.

The research highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration in developing advanced communication technologies. Press Information Bureau+1

8. Future Applications and Research Directions

The research team plans to explore methods of controlling the engineered barriers through electrical, thermal and mechanical techniques. Such developments could enable researchers to redirect electromagnetic signals between different pathways whenever required.

This capability could prove useful in designing reconfigurable photonic circuits, where signals can be switched or routed without requiring complex conventional electronic components.

In the longer term, the technology may support the development of compact terahertz communication systems, advanced photonic processors and high-speed integrated circuits.

The achievement is an important contribution to India’s scientific research ecosystem and strengthens the country’s participation in emerging technologies associated with future telecommunications.

B) Why Is This News Important?

1. Strengthens India’s Position in Advanced Scientific Research

The development of a 100 Gbps terahertz photonic chip demonstrates India’s growing research capabilities in advanced materials, semiconductor technology and photonics. The achievement by JNCASR highlights the contribution of Indian research institutions to globally significant scientific developments.

2. Supports the Development of Future 6G Technology

Sixth-generation mobile communication is expected to require significantly greater bandwidth and faster data transmission. The use of terahertz frequencies is being explored to meet these requirements. The research offers a potential solution to the challenge of guiding terahertz waves through compact circuits with minimal signal loss.

3. Introduces an Important Application of Quantum Physics

The demonstration of photonic Klein tunnelling connects concepts from quantum physics with practical photonic engineering. It provides new possibilities for controlling electromagnetic wave transmission through specially designed structures.

4. Promotes Semiconductor and Photonics Innovation

The use of high-resistivity silicon, which is compatible with established semiconductor manufacturing processes, makes the research particularly relevant to the development of integrated photonic devices. It could support future innovations in communication hardware and advanced electronic systems.

5. Encourages International Scientific Collaboration

The project involved researchers from India, Singapore and France. Such collaborations strengthen scientific knowledge-sharing and help Indian institutions participate in advanced global research programmes.

Overall significance: The breakthrough is important for competitive examinations because it connects current developments in Indian science and technology with important concepts such as 6G, terahertz communication, photonic crystals, quantum physics and semiconductor research. Press Information Bureau+1

C) Historical Context: Development of Photonics, Terahertz Technology and 6G Research

1. Evolution of Photonics

Photonics is the science and technology of generating, controlling and detecting light. It has become increasingly important in modern telecommunications, particularly in optical fibre communication, laser technology, medical imaging and high-speed data transmission.

Traditional electronic communication systems rely on electrical signals to transfer information. Photonic systems use light or electromagnetic waves, offering opportunities for high-speed communication and efficient signal processing.

Over time, researchers have developed photonic integrated circuits that combine multiple optical functions on a single chip. These technologies are becoming increasingly important for advanced communication networks and data centres.

2. Development of Topological Photonics

Topological photonics emerged from the application of concepts in topology and condensed matter physics to the study of electromagnetic waves.

The field draws inspiration from topological insulators, materials that can support special conducting states along their boundaries while behaving differently in their interiors.

Researchers began exploring how similar principles could be applied to photonic structures to create pathways that are more resistant to certain types of signal disturbances.

The development of photonic crystals, engineered materials with periodically arranged structures, has played an important role in this research.

3. Origin of the Klein Tunnelling Concept

Klein tunnelling originated in relativistic quantum mechanics. It describes the possibility of particles passing through potential barriers that would ordinarily be expected to obstruct their movement.

The concept is associated with physicist Oskar Klein, who introduced the phenomenon in 1929 while studying relativistic quantum theory.

Later research explored related effects in graphene and other advanced materials. Scientists subsequently investigated whether similar principles could be demonstrated using electromagnetic waves.

The JNCASR research represents an important application of this concept in topological photonics, demonstrating that terahertz waves can cross specially engineered barriers while maintaining high transmission efficiency.

4. Emergence of Terahertz Communication

Terahertz technology has attracted increasing scientific attention because of its potential to support extremely high data transmission rates.

The terahertz frequency range lies between microwaves and infrared radiation. Its large available bandwidth makes it an attractive area of research for future wireless communication systems.

However, terahertz communication faces challenges such as atmospheric absorption, signal attenuation and difficulties in guiding waves through compact devices.

Research into silicon photonic crystals and topological waveguides aims to overcome some of these limitations.

5. Evolution from 5G Towards 6G

The introduction of 5G networks significantly improved mobile broadband speeds, reduced latency and supported applications such as the Internet of Things, smart manufacturing and connected infrastructure.

Research into 6G technology is focused on developing even greater communication capacity, intelligent network systems and advanced connectivity.

Terahertz communication, artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductor devices and photonic technologies are among the areas being investigated for future 6G systems.

The JNCASR breakthrough is part of this wider scientific effort to develop compact, efficient and high-capacity communication technologies. Press Information Bureau+1

D) Key Takeaways from JNCASR’s 100 Gbps Terahertz Chip

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Indian institution developed the terahertz chip capable of achieving 100 Gbps data transmission?

The chip was developed by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru.

2. What is the maximum data transmission speed achieved by the JNCASR terahertz chip?

The chip achieved a maximum data transmission speed of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) using its power-splitter device.

3. Which technology is used in the development of the terahertz chip?

The chip uses topological photonics, which controls the movement of electromagnetic waves through specially engineered structures.

4. What is photonic Klein tunnelling?

Photonic Klein tunnelling is a phenomenon in which electromagnetic waves pass through specially engineered barriers with minimal transmission loss. It is inspired by the Klein tunnelling concept in quantum physics.

5. What is the significance of terahertz waves in 6G communication?

Terahertz waves offer access to high bandwidth and potentially extremely high data transmission speeds. They are being explored for future 6G communication networks.

6. Which material was used to fabricate the JNCASR photonic chip?

The researchers used high-resistivity silicon, which is compatible with established semiconductor manufacturing processes.

7. What frequency range was used to test the terahertz chip?

The researchers conducted measurements across the 310–360 GHz frequency range.

8. Who led the research project at JNCASR?

The research was led by Dr Abhishek Kumar, Assistant Professor at JNCASR and head of its Meta Optics Laboratory (MetoLab).

9. Who were the joint first authors of the research?

Samina Mulla and Sangram Kumar Sadhu were the joint first authors.

10. In which scientific journal was the research published?

The research was published in the international scientific journal Advanced Materials on 11 October 2026.

11. What is JNCASR?

JNCASR stands for Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. It is an autonomous research institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, located in Bengaluru.

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