Opportunities for silicon at mmWave and Terahertz frequencies

This paper summarizes opportunities for silicon process technologies at mmwave and terahertz frequencies and demonstrates key building blocks for 94-GHz and 600-GHz imaging arrays. It reviews potential applications and summarizes state-of-the-art terahertz technologies. Terahertz focal-plane arrays (FPAs) for video-rate imaging applications have been fabricated in commercially available CMOS and SiGe process technologies respectively. The 3times5 arrays achieve a responsivity of up to 50 kV/W with a minimum NEP of 400 pW/radicHz at 600 GHz. Images of postal envelopes are presented which demonstrate the potential of silicon integrate 600-GHz terahertz FPAs for future low-cost terahertz camera systems.