Scientists of the CENTER Terahertz Research and Application Center in Warsaw, a part of the International Research Agendas of the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) program, have discovered the possibility of amplifying terahertz waves by graphene nanostructures at room temperature. This discovery paves the way for the development of a variety of innovative technologies that use terahertz radiation.

Terahertz radiation (THz) are waves of the range between microwaves and infrared radiation. This means that the frequency of 1THz corresponds to a wavelength of about 0.3 mm, and for this reason terahertz waves are also called submillimeter waves.

Until now they have been used by humanity sporadically, only by astronomers to observe distant parts of the universe. However, terahertz radiation is also suitable for x-rays and analysis of the composition of many materials (such as plastic, paper, textiles, wood) and for fast information transfer – faster than current 4G solution. Future 5G and 6G wireless communications technologies will use terahertz waves as information carriers.