Characterization of graphene-based nano-antennas in the terahertz band

Graphene-enabled wireless communications constitute a novel paradigm which has been proposed to implement wireless communications at the nanoscale. Indeed, graphene-based nano-antennas just a few micrometers in size have been predicted to radiate electromagnetic waves at the terahertz band. In this work, the performance of a graphene-based nano-patch antenna in transmission and reception is numerically analyzed. The resonance frequency of the nano-antenna is calculated as a function of its length and width, both analytically and by simulation. The influence of a dielectric substrate with a variable size, and the position of the patch with respect to the substrate is also evaluated. Finally, the radiation pattern of a graphene-based nano-patch antenna is compared to that of an equivalent metallic antenna. These results will prove useful for designers of future graphene-based nano-antennas, which will enable wireless communications at the nanoscale.