Kilometer-Scale Terahertz Wireless Communication Achieved at 335 GHz via Hybrid Photonic-Electronic Synergy
Tags Infrastructure · Research
Researchers achieved kilometer-scale terahertz wireless communication at 335 GHz using a hybrid photonic-electronic system, reaching a record 61,248 Gbit·s⁻¹·m rate–distance product. Published in Light: Science & Applications (Nature portfolio) on May 9, 2026, the work combined photonics-assisted THz generation, a high-power traveling wave tube amplifier (3.82W output, 52dB gain), and diversity reception to overcome atmospheric attenuation above 300 GHz. The team achieved stable wireless transmission over 2.2 km at a net data rate of 27.84 Gbit·s⁻¹. The research was led by Yuancheng Cai, Lin Zhang, Xiaohu You et al. from multiple institutions in China.
Technical significance
Terahertz bands are critical for next-generation wireless fronthaul/backhaul, but have been limited to short ranges by atmospheric absorption. The 2.2 km demonstration at 335 GHz with a record rate-distance product represents a significant step toward practical THz communication. If the hybrid photonic-electronic approach can be commercialized, it could enable fiber-like wireless links for 6G backhaul, remote connectivity, and military communications without laying physical cable.