Terahertz (THz) communication and sensing are important cutting-edge technologies for achieving ultra-high-speed wireless transmission and high-resolution sensing applications. Due to the problems of large propagation attenuation, low transmission power and high receiver noise in the THz band, exploiting sensitive low-temperature receiver frontends are expected to greatly improve the received signal-to-noise ratios and the operating distances of THz communication and sensing systems. Despite that low-temperature superconducting receiver technology can help to improve the sensitivity, its cryocooling system is very expensive and bulky, which would restrict its application in some practical scenarios of THz communication and sensing.

This talk presents our latest research achievement in advancing THz receiver frontends as well as their integrated systems in recent years, focusing on two types of high-sensitivity, lightweight and miniature cryogenic receiver frontend technologies, i.e., high-Tc superconducting (HTS) Josephson junction heterodyne receivers and cryogenic Schottky heterodyne receivers. Specific details including theoretical modeling, simulation designs and performance characterization are discussed for those two types of THz cryogenic receivers. Using the developed high-sensitivity, lightweight and miniature cryogenic receiver frontends, THz communication integration and system demonstration are also conducted for showing the superior capability. Finally, this talk will brief the prospect and significance of the cryogenic receiver frontends for THs sensing applications.