Ultra-Broadband Photonic THz Transceiver IC for High Range Resolution FMCW RADAR

High range resolution radars are essential for a great variety of applications, including 3D imaging, target detection, spectroscopy, and defense [1]. In this paper, we report the first experimental validation of a real-time high range resolution frequency modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) THz radar that is based upon a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The ultra-broadband THz transceiver PIC consists of a uni-traveling-carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) THz transmitter monolithically integrated with a Fermi level managed barrier diode (FMBD) THz receiver. In a first experiment, the FMCW PIC based THz radar is demonstrated of being capable of detecting objects up to distances d of 62.5 cm with a theoretically determined range resolution of 1.36 mm. This is achieved by using a THz transceiver PIC operating between 220–330 GHz. It should be noted that in the experiment the operational bandwidth is limited by the applied horn antenna and the probe. In principle, the THz transceiver PIC would be suitable for FMCW radar with a resolution below 1 mm.