Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40218637›Full record

ReviewSensors (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Beyond Fiber: Toward Terahertz Bandwidth in Free-Space Optical Communication.

Rahat Ullah, Sibghat Ullah, Jianxin Ren, Hathal Salamah Alwageed, Yaya Mao, Zhipeng Qi, Feng Wang, Suhail Ayoub Khan, Umar Farooq

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Rahat UllahInstitute of Optics and Electronics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.ORCID 0000-0003-4797-2184
Sibghat UllahSchool of Electronic Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210018, China.ORCID 0000-0001-6351-4904
Jianxin RenInstitute of Optics and Electronics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.ORCID 0000-0002-0752-7476
Hathal Salamah AlwageedCollege of Computer and Information Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia.
Yaya MaoInstitute of Optics and Electronics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
Zhipeng QiInstitute of Optics and Electronics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
Feng WangInstitute of Optics and Electronics, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
Suhail Ayoub KhanSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
Umar FarooqDepartment of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Galgotais University, Greater Noida 201309, India.

Funding

Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program BE2022079, BE2022055-2National Key Research and Development Program of China 2023YFB2804901National Natural Science Foundation of China 62171227,U22B2009,62205151,62275127
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rapid advancement of terahertz (THz) communication systems has positioned this technology as a key enabler for next-generation telecommunication networks, including 6G, secure communications, and hybrid wireless-optical systems. This review comprehensively analyzes THz communication, emphasizing its integration with free-space optical (FSO) systems to overcome conventional bandwidth limitations. While THz-FSO technology promises ultra-high data rates, it is significantly affected by atmospheric absorption, particularly absorption beyond 500 GHz, where the attenuation exceeds 100 dB/km, which severely limits its transmission range. However, the presence of a lower-loss transmission window at 680 GHz provides an opportunity for optimized THz-FSO communication. This paper explores recent developments in high-power THz sources, such as quantum cascade lasers, photonic mixers, and free-electron lasers, which facilitate the attainment of ultra-high data rates. Additionally, adaptive optics, machine learning-based beam alignment, and low-loss materials are examined as potential solutions to mitigating signal degradation due to atmospheric absorption. The integration of THz-FSO systems with optical and radio frequency (RF) technologies is assessed within the framework of software-defined networking (SDN) and multi-band adaptive communication, enhancing their reliability and range. Furthermore, this review discusses emerging applications such as self-driving systems in 6G networks, ultra-low latency communication, holographic telepresence, and inter-satellite links. Future research directions include the use of artificial intelligence for network optimization, creating energy-efficient system designs, and quantum encryption to obtain secure THz communications. Despite the severe constraints imposed by atmospheric attenuation, the technology's power efficiency, and the materials that are used, THz-FSO technology is promising for the field of ultra-fast and secure next-generation networks. Addressing these limitations through hybrid optical-THz architectures, AI-driven adaptation, and advanced waveguides will be critical for the full realization of THz-FSO communication in modern telecommunication infrastructures.

Indexed as

FSO communication systemsintegrated THz-FSO systemssoftware-defined networkingTHz-bandwidthTHz communication systems

Identifiers

PMID40218637
PMCPMC11991621

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.