A 1.7-1.9 THz local oscillator source

Abstract

We report on the design and performance of a 2 3 3 frequency multiplier chain to the 1.7-1.9 THz band. GaAsbased planar Schottky diodes are utilized in each stage. A W-band power amplifier, driven by a commercially available synthesizer, was used to pump the chain with 100 mW of input power. The peak measured output power at room temperature is 3 W at 1740 GHz. When cooled to 120 K, the chain provides more than 1.5 W from 1730 to 1875 GHz and produced a peak of 15 W at 1746 GHz.

Full characterization and analysis of a terahertz heterodyne receiver based on a NbN hot electron bolometer

“…The LO source is a solid state of 1.45-1.55 THz multiplier chain. 4 The chain is operated at 1.46 THz where it has a peak output power of 11 W, evaluated using a calibrated NeilErickson power meter 34 and independently with a ThomasKeating power meter. 35 The output of the LO is equipped with a diagonal feed-horn designed for 1.6 THz.…”

“…Three crucial components have seen major improvements. Firstly, the development of tunable solid state local oscillator ͑LO͒ sources, 4 possibly in the future replaced by terahertz quantum cascade lasers. 5,6 Secondly, improved intermediate frequency ͑IF͒ amplifiers, 7 which benefit from major progress in telecommunication technology.…”

“…We therefore focus on twin-slot antenna coupled NbN HEBs operated with a tunable solid state LO source. 4 An important issue is the limited LO power from currently available tunable LO sources 4 that can be coupled to the HEB. The latter is especially critical using our optical design discussed in Sec.…”

Tunable, continuous-wave Terahertz photomixer sources and applications

“…In the past years, the THz gap has been narrowed from both sides with various purely electronic RF sources 22 and purely optical emitters, 23,24 but also by combining optical with RF techniques, e.g., the concept of photomixing. 25 In terms of the generated THz radiation we have to distinguish between short-pulse broadband, long-pulse quasi-CW, and coherent CW emitters.…”

“…28 Multipliers (doubler, tripler) based on Gunn diodes, impact ionization avalanche transit time (IMPATT) diodes, or heterostructure barrier varactor (HBV) diodes, cover the range up to or greater than 1.9 THz, with still several lW of power available. 22 Significantly higher power levels have been demonstrated at lower frequencies. Cryogenic Josephson junction-based devices 29 have almost reached the lW level at frequencies up to 850 GHz.…”