Terahertz Rectennas on Flexible Substrates Based on One-Dimensional Metal-Insulator-Graphene Diodes

Abstract

Flexible energy harvesting devices fabricated in scalable thin-film processes are crucial for wearable electronics and the Internet of Things. We present a flexible rectenna based on a one-dimensional junction metal-insulator-graphene diode, offering low-noise power detection at terahertz (THz) frequencies. The rectennas are fabricated on a flexible polyimide film in a scalable process by photolithography using graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition. A one-dimensional junction reduces the junction capacitance and enables operation up to 170 GHz. The rectenna shows a maximum responsivity of 80 V/W at 167 GHz in free space measurements and minimum noise equivalent power of 80 pW/√Hz.