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Comment by boulos | Hacker News Reader

(2007)

Can people comment on what has happened since? 15 years is a long time in the research world. Did the hoped for things come to pass?

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There has been a lot of technological progress, but the sector remains a niche one. Many new THz sources have been built and improved, including coherent sources like the QCLs mentioned. Microantennas may play a big role in the future, and now there are technologies to build them. Optics and detection have also improved. THz equipment still remains expensive, demanding, fragile, and scientific, although much improved from 15 years ago and with many more people working in this field. It's even being considered for 6G communications by some [1] [2] but I do not think this is realistic given the state of technology and optical technologies will probably 'win'

[1] https://opg.optica.org/abstract.cfm?uri=OFC-2022-M3C.6 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6G_(network)

We talk about high-GHz to low-THz technology in the Tektronix / Hewlett Packard [1] Discord [2] every now and then; there's even a push in the community to talk about such cutting edge stuff (separate room, lists of resources, etc). When it comes to high GHz bands, the consensus always is that what's prohibitive to the average non-state-funded lab are exactly the sources / generators - not just the price, but also availability.

[1] two companies with historically the largest impact on electronics testing equipment, and largest and oldest enthusiast communities, so we have this discord [2] https://discord.gg/wQAzp4qm

If I'm remembering correctly, most of the interesting work in archaeology recovering palimpsests (reused canvas/media for multiple works) has been done with THz stuff, so that's one place it's come up.

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