TECHNOLOGY LICENSING/ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY
Canon has developed the world’s highest power semiconductor THz light source (11.8mW) with excellent directivity (13 degrees) and power efficiency at the desirable 0.45 THz frequency from a 3.2mm2 semiconductor chip
The subject IP and technology were developed in house at Canon with the objective of developing Terahertz based imaging technology that would be compact, fast, and cost-effective enough to be incorporated into a conventional surveillance camera with near real-time imaging. Canon has decided to sell or license the technology to a company better positioned to commercialize. Ideal partners should have access to mass production capabilities around compound semiconductors (InP), MEMS, radio wave or wireless products or businesses.
Market Needs Addressed
Security Screening
In today’s rapidly changing world, ensuring safety and efficiency in public spaces has become a top priority for many sectors, from schools and workplaces to train stations and event venues. These environments increasingly demand solutions that are compact, cost-effective, and highly accurate.
This innovation paves the way for the next generation of Terahertz imaging technology—offering near real-time imaging capabilities in surveillance. Other Terahertz applications that could leverage this technology included next-generation wireless (6G), radar, non-destructive testing, medical imaging, etc.
Today’s security scanning technologies are based on millimeter waves, more than 10 times larger than terahertz waves, which results in scanners that must be several meters large and require the person to be stationary in the scanner for a few seconds.
Terahertz waves offer higher resolution than millimeter waves, commonly used in security scanning today. THz low energy waves produce no radiation, and thus are safer than X-rays.
Terahertz waves penetrate fabric, paper and plastic, and are absorbed by liquid, reflected by metal and scattered by powder. Millimeter waves can only penetrate some types of plastic. Terahertz waves are capable of identifying different types of liquids, something not possible with X-ray or millimeter waves. With further transmitter and detector development, this could potentially eliminate the need for removing liquids from carry on baggage. Furthermore, as this system is semiconductor based, significant cost savings over conventional security scanning methods can be expected once the sensor & receiver chips are mass produced.
Communication
Terahertz waves are key for the next generation wireless (6G).
Sub-terahertz and terahertz bands (0.1THz to 10 THz) have potential to help alleviate the spectrum scarcity problem of current wireless networks and could enable faster data rate transmissions, up to terabit-per-second (Tbps) and higher bandwidth for data intensive applications. Most 5G communications use millimeter and microwave frequencies from 600 MHz to 60 GHz.
Additional Applications
- Non-destructive Testing
- Radar (additional R&D & SI would be required)
- Communication: base stations, short-range and mobile phones (high level expertise for R&D and SI)
Technology Description
Canon has developed the world’s highest power (11.8mW) semiconductor THz light source with excellent directivity (13 degrees) and power efficiency at the desirable 0.45 THz frequency. The 0.30-0.70 THz band is considered the most promising range for imaging, hydration sensing and industrial applications. The chip’s high output and high directivity enables powerful terahertz waves emission across a few meters from a 3.2mm2 semiconductor chip.
THz Light Source integrates two technological breakthroughs:
- Resonant tunnel diode (RTD) on an indium phosphide substrate (InP), a semiconductor with high electron mobility which makes terahertz frequency of 0.45 THz possible (vs GaN which is limited to 0.1 THz band). RTDs eliminate the requirement for frequency multipliers, reducing size and power requirements.
- Antenna Structure consisting of a synchronized array of 36 active antennas on a single semiconductor chip. The result is approximately 10 times more output and 20 times better directivity than alternative semiconductor terahertz sources.
In the imaging application, the THz Light source is paired with Canon’s proprietary THz Image Sensor with a 20,000-pixel focal plane array (FPA), includes a Si-based Schottky barrier diode (SBD) rectifier with integrated a ring antenna, provides higher sensitivity, faster frame rate and lower cost compared to conventional micro bolometer array that converts heat into electrical signals.
Benefits Summary
- Small format enables compact scanning devices
- Emission angle directivity of 13 degrees without the aid of lenses or horn antennas vs 60-degree emission angle for others in the market. (20x more directivity)
- Able to generate clear images and footage from as far as 10 meters away
- Scans objects without inducing harm to the human body
- Power efficiency is 1.4 times that of existing equipment (conventional RTD at about 0.7% vs and Canon’s RTD at about 1%)
- Volume is 1/1000 the size of conventional methods utilizing multipliers, conversion lenses, and antennas
Tested Applications
Canon’s primary application development has been around a compact, high efficiency, low cost and portable THz active camera body scanning security system, consisting of a semiconductor-based THz light source and THz image sensor.
A prototype has been developed and has demonstrated superior performance (1mm resolution from a working distance of a few meters) and lower cost when compared to passive THz scanners. Throughput capacity is approximately 1000 people per hour, similar to a millimeter wave walk through scanner. With additional development there is potential to further reduce the technology footprint, making it possible to incorporate THz scanning into body cameras.
Additional Development Work
At present, the resolution is limited to about 1 mm since the wavelength is longer than visible light, and the phase information like the radar cannot be obtained without additional development. Commercialization and mass production of new semiconductors (especially, InP) require investment.
Regulatory
International standards compliance for radio wave-based technology needs to be obtained for the final embodiment. As the technology is applicable to military regulations, export regulations of each country need to be addressed. It has been confirmed by the Foreign Exchange Law of Japan that RTDs are not subject to export restrictions. Further legal review is required regarding Canon’s image sensors and cameras. Additionally, regulations regarding product safety, radiation, and use or radio waves will need to be considered on a country by country basis.
IP Portfolio
The intellectual property (IP) supporting this technology is extensive. Canon’s Terahertz technology is protected by 115 patent families, both issued and filed, covering the novel resonant tunneling diode (RTD), sensor/receiver as an antenna, and sensor/receiver for imaging. Applications covered are imaging, radar/communication, and spectroscope/time domain spectroscopy. Key representative patents are featured in the table below. A full patent portfolio list and patent map is available to interested parties.
In addition to the patent portfolio, Canon possesses other IP and assets that represent potentially valuable technology assets to a licensee/acquirer, including: (a) core technology strengths in RTD semiconductor manufacturing, (b) design specification documents, (c) semiconductor manufacturing process specifications, (d) IC packaging specification, (e) testing specifications, and (f) application notes.
Partnership Opportunities
Canon is open to a variety of types of licensing or asset sale deal structures. Initial preference is to sell the technology to a single company capable of producing, integrating, and broadly commercializing Terahertz semiconductor technology across applications. Alternatively, the company will consider field of use licenses to multiple companies across applications.
We believe that eventual acquirers or licensees will be organizations characterized as follows:
- Semiconductor manufacturers that produce InP transistors and LD
- Manufacturers of LED, RF devices and image sensor
- Next generation radar developers
- 6G telecommunication developers
- Security scanner manufacturers
Company Overview
Canon is a $29B, 170,000-person multinational corporation specializing in optical, imaging and industrial products. Four groups primary divisions include Printing Group (MFDs, laser printers, inkjet printers, and commercial and industrial printers); Medical Group (CT, MRI, and diagnostic ultrasound systems, X-ray tubes, etc.); Imaging Group (lens digital cameras, lenses, broadcast equipment, professional digital camcorders, network cameras, and a 3D imaging solutions); Industrial Group (semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) lithography equipment, OLED panel manufacturing equipment).
Further Information
Additional information not subject to confidentiality requirements will be provided to prospective licensees/acquirers having credible interest. Extensive additional information may be made available to qualified interested parties under the provisions of a confidential disclosure agreement.
Image by Canon
