The first 5G mobile antennas are just being installed in Germany - the UDE is already researching high-frequency technologies for the day after tomorrow: 6G terahertz communication with more than 100 gigabit/s data rates, state-of-the-art radars and other applications suitable for everyday use. In order to be able to invest in new production facilities and equipment, the university will receive over 6.5 million euros from state and EU funds*. This will create a Terahertz Integration Centre (THzIZ) that is unique in Germany.

Terahertz technology can do much more than transmit hundreds of gigabits per second: "It makes it possible to determine the position of objects with high precision and analyse their chemical composition at the same time. The fast waves have huge potential," says Prof. Dr. Nils Weimann. "In medical technology, terahertz radiation, which is harmless to humans, could help in the examination of skin cancer, for example." Other medical applications for mobile THz sensors are the analysis of breathing air for diagnosis or the imaging of the sole of the foot in the evaluation of diabetes diseases.

However, it is not yet possible to produce new systems on an industrial scale at low cost. That could change. "Through the new Terahertz Integration Centre, we can now expand our successful research in a targeted manner and develop innovative terahertz modules for mobile and everyday applications until they are ready for the market," Weimann is pleased to say.

Already today, novel electronic and optoelectronic THz semiconductor chips are being designed at the UDE, among others within the framework of the Collaborative Research Centre MARIE. At the Centre for Semiconductor Technology and Optoelectronics (ZHO), the "ForLab smartBeam" laboratory was recently established: Research there is to enable accurate and safe environment recognition for robots and autonomous vehicles. Thanks to the renewed multi-million euro funding, the ZHO will now receive further state-of-the-art production facilities and measuring equipment.

*The 6.5 million euros in funding come from the NRW.Research Infrastructures programme and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The THzIZ is being set up and coordinated by Professors Dr. Nils Weimann, Dr. Andreas Stöhr, Dr. Daniel Erni and Dr. Thomas Kaiser.