Carbon Nanotubes for Terahertz Waves: Synthesis, Patterning, and Applications

ABSTRACT Terahertz (THz) technology is emerging as a key enabler for high‐speed communications, imaging, and sensing. However, the advancement of THz devices remains hindered by the intrinsic limitations of conventional materials in delivering broadband absorption, efficient emission, and real‐time control of THz waves. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their quasione‐dimensional structure, high carrier mobility, tunable plasmonic response, and pronounced electromagnetic anisotropy, offer a uniquely versatile material platform to address these challenges. This review systematically examines the fundamental properties, controllable synthesis, and precision patterning of CNTs for THz applications. It further surveys the operating mechanisms and recent progress of CNT‐based THz devices, including emitters, antennas, absorbers, detectors, modulators, polarizers, transistors, and amplifiers. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of photoelectric, thermoacoustic, and plasmonic effects in enabling efficient detection, emission, and dynamic manipulation of THz. Finally, the review discusses emerging opportunities for CNT‐enabled THz technologies, including highly integrated systems, quantum‐effect modulation, and artificial‐intelligence‐assisted design for future applications. This review is organized as follows: Section 1 introduces the advantages of CNTs for THz applications; Section 2 summarizes CNT synthesis and transfer methods; Section 3 highlights representative CNT‐based THz devices for wave generation, modulation, absorption, and processing; and Section 4 presents the conclusions and outlook.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Laser & Photonics Review
Published
2026-04-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.71141
Primary Topic
Carbon Nanotubes in Composites
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Carbon Nanotubes for Terahertz Waves: Synthesis, Patterning, and Applications

Yaochun Qiang, Dawei Chu, Yuxian Wu, Wanwan Mei et al.
Laser & Photonics Review
Carbon Nanotubes in Composites
article

Carbon Nanotubes for Terahertz Waves: Synthesis, Patterning, and Applications

Yaochun Qiang, Dawei Chu, Yuxian Wu, Wanwan Mei, Zhaoen Liu, Fangjing Hu, Leimeng Sun, Dongyang Xiao, Peiyi Song, Rongyu Deng
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Terahertz (THz) technology is emerging as a key enabler for high‐speed communications, imaging, and sensing. However, the advancement of THz devices remains hindered by the intrinsic limitations of conventional materials in delivering broadband absorption, efficient emission, and real‐time control of THz waves. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their quasione‐dimensional structure, high carrier mobility, tunable plasmonic response, and pronounced electromagnetic anisotropy, offer a uniquely versatile material platform to address these challenges. This review systematically examines the fundamental properties, controllable synthesis, and precision patterning of CNTs for THz applications. It further surveys the operating mechanisms and recent progress of CNT‐based THz devices, including emitters, antennas, absorbers, detectors, modulators, polarizers, transistors, and amplifiers. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of photoelectric, thermoacoustic, and plasmonic effects in enabling efficient detection, emission, and dynamic manipulation of THz. Finally, the review discusses emerging opportunities for CNT‐enabled THz technologies, including highly integrated systems, quantum‐effect modulation, and artificial‐intelligence‐assisted design for future applications. This review is organized as follows: Section 1 introduces the advantages of CNTs for THz applications; Section 2 summarizes CNT synthesis and transfer methods; Section 3 highlights representative CNT‐based THz devices for wave generation, modulation, absorption, and processing; and Section 4 presents the conclusions and outlook.

Laser & Photonics Review
Huanghuai University (CN), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (CN), Hubei University of Education (CN), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Carbon Nanotubes in Composites
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.