Graphene-channel FETs for photonic frequency double-mixing conversion over the sub-THz band

We report on photonic frequency double-mixing conversion utilizing a graphene-channel FET (G-FET). Optoelectronic properties of graphene are exploited to perform single-chip photonic double-mixing functionality, which is greatly advantageous in future broadband technological conversion between optical fiber and sub-terahertz wireless communications. A 1 GHz modulation signal on a 125 GHz carrier is electrically input to the gate, whereas a 1.58 μm dual wavelength CW laser beam having a frequency difference of 112.5 GHz impinges on the G-FET. The G-FET works as a photomixer generating a 112.5 GHz local signal which is then electrically mixed to the 1 GHz modulated 125 GHz carrier signal, resulting in the down-conversion of the 1 GHz signal to a 12.5 GHz intermediate frequency (IF) signal.