Fiber-Coupled 2-D n-i-pn-i-p Superlattice Photomixer Array

Preu, Sascha; Muller-Landau, Christian; Malzer, S.; Döhler, G. H.; Lü, Hong; Gossard, A. C.; Segovia-Vargas, Daniel; Rivera-Lavado, Alejandro; Garcia-Munoz, L. E.

doi:10.1109/tap.2017.2700039

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…This solution can be obtained by integrating microlenses directly on the antenna array structure, allowing also a reduction of the complexity of the current assembly for focusing the laser beam on the photoconductive gaps. Moreover, in order to overcome the alignment problem and for reducing the spillover between the laser beam and the device, a solution based on optic fiber coupling could be adopted [70], paying attention to the dispersion of the optic fiber, when working in a pulsed mode. Finally, should one be able to adopt more efficient photoconductive excitation of carriers [40], the resulting power level generated could be even higher.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Connected Array of Coherent Photoconductive Pulsed Sources to Generate mW Average Power in the Submillimeter Wavelength Band

Garufo

Sberna

Carluccio

et al. 2019

IEEE Trans. THz Sci. Technol.

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A pulsed photoconductive terahertz (THz) source is presented that is able to radiate milliwatt (mW) level average power over a large bandwidth, by exploiting both the optical and electrical properties of photoconductive sources and the ultrawideband properties of connected antenna arrays. An optical system composed of a microlenses array splits the laser beam into N × N spots that host the active excitation of the antenna arrays. An "ad hoc" network is introduced to bias the array active spots in order to implement a connected antenna array configuration. The array feeds a silicon lens to increase the directivity of the radiated THz beam. A dipole and a slot array are designed. Prototypes have been fabricated and measured. Power and spectrum measurements of the prototypes are in excellent agreement with the expected results. The proposed solutions achieve excellent power radiation levels by exploiting accurate electromagnetic design. Thus, they can offer enhancements to any active system relying on pulsed photoconductive antennas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Connected Array of Coherent Photoconductive Pulsed Sources to Generate mW Average Power in the Submillimeter Wavelength Band

Garufo

Sberna

Carluccio

et al. 2019

IEEE Trans. THz Sci. Technol.

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“…In the past, significant research effort has been dedicated to the maximization of directivity for a single radiating element coupled to an extended hemispherical silicon lens as well as associated problems [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. It has also been shown that beams from multiple small coherent sources incorporated into a single chip can be combined into a single Gaussian beam [27]. However, creating diffuse, uniform illumination from large-scale arrays of incoherent THz sources has not yet been demonstrated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon Lens Optimization to Create Diffuse, Uniform Illumination from Incoherent THz Source Arrays

Zatta

Headland

Ashna

et al. 2021

J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves

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Arrays of terahertz (THz) sources provide a pathway to overcoming the radiation power limitations of single sources. Several independent sources of THz radiation may be implemented in a single integrated circuit, thereby realizing a monolithic THz source array of high output power. Integrated THz sources must generally be backside-coupled to extended hemispherical dielectric lenses in order to suppress substrate modes and extract THz power. However, this lens also increases antenna gain and thereby produces several non-overlapping beams. This is because individual source pixels are relatively large. Hence, their spatial separation on-chip translates to angular separation in the far-field. In other words, there are gaps in their field of view into which very little THz power is projected. Therefore, they cannot homogeneously illuminate an imaging target. This article presents a simple, practical, and scalable method to convert arrays of incoherent THz sources into a diffuse, uniform illumination source without the need for reducing pixel size. Briefly, individual beam divergence is optimized by tailoring the dimensions of the extended hemispherical dielectric lens such that the far-field beams of adjacent source pixels overlap and combine to form a uniform far-field beam. We applied this method to an incoherent 8 × 8-pixel THz source array radiating 10.3 dBm at 0.42 THz as a proof of concept and thereby realized a 10.3-dBm 0.42-THz diffuse, uniform illumination source that was then deployed in a demonstration of THz active imaging.

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“…The difficulty of integrating several photomixer-excited antennas has obstructed the development of arrays with beam steering capabilities, and just a few demonstrations can be found in the open literature [13,14]. Beam steering would extend the range of applications of this kind of antennas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Photonically-Excited Leaky-Wave Antenna Array at E-Band for 1-D Beam Steering

et al. 2020

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This manuscript reports the first leaky-wave antenna (LWA) array excited by a photomixer as well as its potential application for alignment in wireless links. The designed array is manufactured in printed circuit board (PCB) technology, works at the E-band (from 75 to 85 GHz), and provides a directive beam of about 18 dBi with a frequency scanning span of 22°. The antenna element consists of a microstrip line periodically loaded with stubs, and it has been designed employing a hybrid approach combining full-wave simulations and transmission line theory. This approach enables the optimization of the periods when the open-stopband of the LWA is mitigated or removed at the frequency of broadside emission. The proposed antenna was first tested using a ground signal ground (GSG) probe; the measured return loss and radiation patterns of the fabricated prototype were in good agreement with full-wave simulations. Then, the LWA array was integrated with the photomixer chip using conductive epoxy threads. Measurements of the radiated power yielded a maximum of 120 µW at 80.5 GHz for a 9.8 mA photocurrent. Finally, the antenna was used in a 25 cm wireless link, obtaining a 2.15 Gbps error-free data rate.

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Fiber-Coupled 2-D n-i-pn-i-p Superlattice Photomixer Array

Cited by 10 publications

References 35 publications

A Connected Array of Coherent Photoconductive Pulsed Sources to Generate mW Average Power in the Submillimeter Wavelength Band

A Connected Array of Coherent Photoconductive Pulsed Sources to Generate mW Average Power in the Submillimeter Wavelength Band

Silicon Lens Optimization to Create Diffuse, Uniform Illumination from Incoherent THz Source Arrays

A Photonically-Excited Leaky-Wave Antenna Array at E-Band for 1-D Beam Steering

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