Terahertz free space communication based on acoustic optical modulation and heterodyne detection

A terahertz free space communication system based on acoustic optical modulation and heterodyne detection is demonstrated. A high resistivity silicon acoustic optical modulator was used to modulate a continuous terahertz wave at 2.52 THz. A pyroelectric detector was used to detect the modulated terahertz signal via heterodyne detection mode. A modulation frequency of 937 kHz and sampling rate of 1 kbit/s was achieved.