Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In an astonishing scientific breakthrough that may soon revolutionize how we see, communicate, and diagnose, scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) have defied expectations—and scientific limitations—to engineer a radically new semiconductor structure. This innovation, which could dramatically lower the cost of terahertz (THz) devices, holds promise for life-changing applications from high-speed wireless communication to advanced medical imaging.
And it didn’t come easy. It took 11 years of relentless research, grit, and Filipino ingenuity.
Cracking the Code of Terahertz Barriers
The race toward practical THz-Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS)—a technology that harnesses the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared light—has long faced two stubborn challenges: cost and complexity. THz devices require high-performance materials that are notoriously expensive and hard to manufacture. But Dr. Cyril Salang of the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program, together with a powerhouse team of physicists and engineers, has turned the tide.
In collaboration with Dr. Arnel Salvador, Dr. Armando Somintac, and Dr. Elmer Estacio of the UPD-CS National Institute of Physics, as well as Dr. Joselito Muldera of RIKEN in Japan, Dr. Salang and her team have engineered a semiconductor design unlike any other.
Their weapon? A deliberately mismatched buffer layer—a move that most scientists would consider risky, if not outright unworkable.
The Beauty in Mismatch
In the high-precision world of semiconductors, alignment is everything. Each layer of material must fit like a glove over the other—matching in atomic structure, or what scientists call “lattice constant.” Any misalignment often leads to faulty performance or device failure.
But this team intentionally used materials with mismatched lattices—specifically, layering p-type indium arsenide (p-InAs) over an intricate architecture that includes a superlattice, a GaAs buffer, and finally a cost-efficient gallium antimonide (n-GaSb) substrate.
The result? A resilient and reliable THz emitter that not only works—but works impressively well.
Using the Riber 32P Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) equipment, they grew their multilayered invention atom by atom, like building a microscopic city with near-perfect alignment through expert engineering. The addition of a growth-interrupted region and an alternating superlattice stabilized the entire structure, even with the lattice mismatch.
When tested with lasers commonly used in THz research—including a 0.80 μm and a more affordable 1.55 μm fiber laser—the new structure delivered performance on par with, and in some cases better than, traditional materials. That 1.55 μm compatibility is particularly exciting: it's a mainstream, budget-friendly option, making the technology more viable for mass adoption.
From Patent to Possibility
It’s a journey that began in 2013 with a simple idea, led to a 2015 paper, and finally culminated in a national patent granted in 2024. A decade-long wait—fueled by perseverance, visionary leadership, and the backing of the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD).
“Receiving a national patent means that the originality of our work is recognized. It encourages me to do further innovation,” shared Dr. Salang.
With the patent in hand, the team is poised to enter deeper into the terahertz industry, potentially placing Filipino science at the heart of a global tech revolution.
Beyond the Lab: A Glimpse into the Future
Terahertz waves are already known to hold transformative potential in fields like:
Medical Diagnostics – enabling real-time, non-invasive imaging without the risks of ionizing radiation
Security Scanning – detecting concealed weapons or hazardous materials
Pharmaceutical Quality Control – analyzing chemical compositions with ultra-precision
High-speed 6G Wireless Communication – offering bandwidths hundreds of times faster than current technologies
But these applications have remained largely in the realm of expensive prototypes and lab-scale trials. The UPD-CS breakthrough could push them into real-world deployment—fast.
Pride of the Philippines, Hope for the World
This landmark invention is more than a technological feat—it is a statement. That Filipino scientists are not just contributors, but trailblazers in the world of frontier science.
From the bustling academic corridors of UP Diliman to the high-tech labs of RIKEN in Japan, this collaboration proves what can happen when talent meets determination, and when innovation is supported by belief.
As the world looks toward the terahertz future, it may well be riding on a beam built in the Philippines.
Wazzup Pilipinas salutes the scientific minds changing our world—one layer at a time.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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