Hybrid Electronic Source Technology for Terahertz (THz) Hyperspectral Spectroscopy, Imaging, and Communication

Microtech is proposing to develop a frequency stabilized THz generator based a millimeter wave backward wave oscillator (BWO) combined with frequency multipliers, as shown in Figure 1. BWO output frequency is stabilized by phase-locked loop system operating in the range 0.1-0.2 THz. The low frequency BWO output is subsequently extended to 0.2-1.0 THz range by using a set of frequency multipliers, while maintaining narrow spectral linewidth. This system is designed to deliver ultra-stable and frequency agile solution in 0.1-1.0 THz range, while minimizing complexity, size, weight and power consumption. While the objective of this project is to build a laboratory instrument, the proposed system can be scaled down into a portable instrument.