Coherent THz communication at 200 GHz using a frequency comb, UTC-PD and electronic detection

A coherent terahertz (THz) link at 200 GHz , with a variable data rate up to 11 Gbit/s, featuring a very high sensitivity at the receiver, is investigated. The system uses a quasi-optic unitravelling carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) emitter and an electronic receiver. The coherent link relies on an optical frequency comb generator at the emission to produce an optical beat note with 200 GHz separation, phase-locked with the receiver. Bit error ratio testing has been carried out using an indoor link configuration, and error-free operation is obtained up to 10 Gbit/s with a received power <2 µW.