KEYNOTE: Beyond Boundaries: Weaving Photonics and Electronics in the Terahertz Age

Since the 1980s, the fusion of photonics and electronics has been a driving force behind the evolution of terahertz technology, transforming it from a scientific curiosity into a practical domain for high-speed communication, sensing, and precision measurement. In recent years, this convergence has accelerated beyond traditional boundaries, driven by advances in integrated photonics, high-frequency electronic devices, and hybrid architectures that blur the line between radio-wave engineering and optical science. This talk revisits the historical milestones where optical precision and electronic agility converged to unlock the terahertz frontier, and then maps the emerging trends that are reshaping the landscape — from photonic-assisted wireless links and chip-scale THz sources to co-designed communication-sensing platforms. Building on these developments, the talk presents a forward-looking perspective on how photonic-electronic fusion will define next-generation communication ecosystems, enabling ultra-broadband connectivity, pervasive sensing, and new forms of intelligent infrastructure. By examining both the technological trajectory and its societal implications, the talk offers a vision of the Terahertz Age as a transformative era in which photonics and electronics are woven into a unified fabric for future systems.