26 May 2026

 

 

A Swiss startup developing microscopic filters for terahertz radiation is attempting to commercialise a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that telecom and aerospace companies long considered too impractical for large-scale use. Lepto GmbH, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), says its ultra-thin components could support future satellite systems, sensing technologies and high-capacity wireless infrastructure as demand for data transmission continues to rise.

Their work could alleviate mounting pressure on existing communications infrastructure. Data traffic continues to increase as artificial intelligence systems, cloud computing, streaming services and connected devices consume growing amounts of bandwidth. Researchers and telecom companies are therefore investigating new frequency ranges capable of transmitting larger amounts of information at higher speeds.

One area attracting growing attention is the terahertz spectrum, frequencies between microwaves and infrared light that scientists historically considered difficult to use outside specialist laboratories.

For decades, that region was known as the “terahertz gap”.

 

A neglected part of the spectrum

 

Terahertz frequencies have long occupied an awkward position in communications and sensing technology. Traditional radio systems struggle to operate efficiently at such high frequencies, while optical technologies are designed for different parts of the spectrum.

Generating, controlling and detecting terahertz waves typically required expensive laboratory equipment and highly specialised hardware. Commercial use therefore remained limited.

That is starting to change.

Several telecom companies, photonics firms and research groups are now exploring terahertz systems for future 6G networks, satellite communications, sensing and spectroscopy.

Terahertz frequencies can carry significantly larger amounts of data than conventional radio systems because they operate at much higher frequencies. However, high-frequency signals also weaken rapidly in the atmosphere, limiting their practical range.

Researchers and telecom companies increasingly see terahertz systems as useful in environments where extremely large amounts of data need to move quickly across relatively short distances. In space, the technology could eventually help satellites exchange larger volumes of information directly in orbit without relying entirely on conventional radio frequencies. Researchers are also exploring whether terahertz systems could eventually support ultra-fast wireless links inside data centres and computing infrastructure as AI-related demand for data movement continues to increase.

The technology is also attracting interest for sensing and imaging systems. Researchers are studying terahertz radiation for advanced security scanners and industrial inspection systems because the waves can penetrate certain materials without the ionising risks associated with X-rays. Scientific laboratories are meanwhile exploring its use in spectroscopy, where terahertz waves can reveal molecular and material properties that are difficult to observe with conventional optical systems.

Despite growing interest, large-scale commercial terahertz networks do not yet exist, and many systems remain confined to research and specialist industrial environments.

 

From laboratory research to startup

 

Lepto did not emerge from the traditional telecom industry. The company grew out of materials-science research at Empa near Zurich, where researchers initially developed ultra-thin terahertz filters for scientific applications before external organisations began requesting the technology.

“We never actually planned to start a company,” co-founder and chief technology officer Dr Erwin Hack said in comments published by TechRadar. “But we received many inquiries from other research institutions, and they were very satisfied with our filters’ performance. That’s when we realized there was a market for them.” 

The startup, formally founded in 2025, develops lightweight components that shape and direct terahertz signals. According to the company and Empa, the filters are built from nanostructured gold surfaces attached to polymer films mounted in custom 3D-printed frames. 

The resulting hardware is exceptionally thin. Lepto says the filters measure approximately one micrometre thick, roughly one thousandth of a millimetre.

Chief executive Dr Elena Mavrona said the company manufactures the supporting frames using additive manufacturing techniques.

That approach allows components to be customised for different frequencies and use cases without relying entirely on traditional semiconductor fabrication processes.

 

Why the space industry is paying attention

 

One of Lepto’s clearest commercial targets is the satellite industry.

Weight remains a major constraint in spacecraft design because launch costs are still heavily influenced by payload mass. Even small reductions in hardware weight can create room for additional systems or lower operational costs.

Lepto argues that terahertz systems could eventually support denser communication links between satellites while reducing signal interference. 

The wider satellite sector is already under pressure to handle growing data volumes. Low-Earth-orbit constellations are expanding rapidly as companies and governments deploy systems for internet connectivity, Earth observation, defence and scientific monitoring.

That growth is creating new challenges involving bandwidth, interference and energy efficiency.

While public discussion around artificial intelligence often focuses on software models and chatbots, much of the underlying challenge is physical. AI systems require growing amounts of data movement between processors, data centres and edge infrastructure, increasing pressure on the networks responsible for transporting information.

That has intensified interest in alternative communications technologies, including optical networking, photonics and terahertz systems.

 

Other companies are also entering the terahertz sector

 

Lepto operates in a small but increasingly active ecosystem of photonics firms, telecom suppliers and scientific hardware companies working on terahertz technologies.

German photonics company TOPTICA Photonics has publicly discussed terahertz systems as a potential foundation for future 6G communications and ultra-high-speed wireless networking. 

US-based Luna Innovations has developed terahertz sensing and measurement systems focused on aerospace inspection, industrial analysis and scientific instrumentation.

Telecom infrastructure firms are also preparing for higher-frequency communications systems. Keysight Technologies has expanded work around 6G testing, satellite communications and high-frequency networking infrastructure. 

The sector nevertheless remains fragmented and commercially immature.

Many terahertz systems are still limited to research environments, prototype deployments or specialised industrial applications. Scientific studies continue to highlight technical challenges involving atmospheric absorption, propagation loss and energy efficiency. 

 

Beyond communications

 

Although future wireless infrastructure dominates much of the discussion around terahertz technology, Lepto’s components could also support imaging and scientific analysis systems.

Terahertz radiation can penetrate certain materials without the ionising risks associated with X-rays. Researchers are therefore exploring its use in medical imaging, industrial inspection and security screening.

Scientific spectroscopy is another important area.

Terahertz spectroscopy allows researchers to analyse molecular structures and material properties that are difficult to observe using conventional optical systems. Empa says current demand for Lepto’s technology primarily comes from research institutions working in spectroscopy and experimental quantum computing.

The company itself remains at an early stage. According to Lepto, its technology is currently in prototype and pilot deployment phases, while the startup continues seeking broader commercial adoption and additional funding. 

Their success will depend not only on advances in materials science, but also on whether the communications industry decides the search for new spectrum has become unavoidable.

 

 

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