Design and Simulation of Graphene-based Nano-Antennas and Nano-Antenna Arrays for Terahertz Communicatio

In the last decade we have seen the emergence of a pair of trends which together conspire to provide new applications for the engineering community. On the one hand, demand for wireless communication is higher now than it has ever been before and will continue to increase into the near future. On the other, the growth of nanotechnology is supplying the engineering community with the materials and tools to solve many longstanding technical challenges. In the first trend we find a problem. In the second, we find the solution.;One of the steps needed to solve the increased demand for high speed data is to move to higher frequencies, namely the Terahertz Band (0.3--10 THz). In the past it was difficult to operate at these frequencies, but today nanotechnology is providing new materials such as graphene which can efficiently operate in the THz regime.;There are many challenges involved in realizing true THz communication systems, such as the design of efficient THz transeivers. New antennas and arrays are needed which work with existing limitations, such as the low available output power of high frequency devices and the complicated absorption spectrum at THz frequencies.;The objective of this thesis is to continue an investigation into the use of graphene to create full fledged high speed communication systems through the excitement of Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) waves. To this end, the complex conductivity of graphene nano-ribbons is reviewed and used to design a graphenebased plasmonic nano-antenna. Then, the interaction between multiple nanoantennas, specifically the mutual coupling, is analyzed. Finally, an Ultra Massive Multi-Carrier Multiple Input Multiple Output array is introduced to enable high speed wireless communication at THz frequencies.