Abstract:

Terahertz technology holds immense promise, but conventional integrated systems, often adapted from microwave or optical frequencies, struggle to fully exploit its potential. This limitation stems from the inherent constraints of platforms not designed for the unique demands of the terahertz band. In this work, we present a groundbreaking solution: a substrateless integrated platform engineered for optimal terahertz performance. By harnessing the power of effective medium design, we achieve exceptional broadband functionality and superior efficiency using only intrinsic silicon. This presentation will delve into the design principles of this innovative platform, showcase the diverse range of functional devices it enables, and highlight its transformative applications in terahertz sensing and communication systems.

Bio:

Withawat Withayachumnankul earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electronic engineering from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand, in 2001 and 2003, respectively. He later obtained a doctorate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2010. Following the completion of his doctoral study, Dr. Withayachumnankul was honoured with a prestigious 3-year Australian Research Council (ARC) Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2010. In 2015, he further expanded his global research experience as a Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) at Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Dr. Withawat Withayachumnankul serves as a Professor at the University of Adelaide and is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow. He is the Founding Leader of the Terahertz Engineering Laboratory, where he currently mentors around 10 PhD students and 3 postdoctoral researchers. Since 2017, he has also been a Visiting Researcher at Osaka University. Demonstrating strong service to the academic community, Dr. Withayachumnankul served on the ARC College of Experts from 2023 to 2025. He also holds the position of Track Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology. His scholarly output includes more than 130 journal publications. In recent years, he has led four ARC Discovery Projects, attracting over AUD 3.5 million in competitive research funding. His research spans terahertz integration, metasurfaces, antennas, radar, communications, and non-destructive evaluation. Among his recognitions, he received the IRMMW‑THz Society Young Scientist Award in 2020 and is an IEEE Fellow (Class of 2026) as well as an Optica Fellow (Class of 2024).