All-Solid-State Source Technology for Terahertz Applications

VDI will create a solid-state terahertz source for use in research laboratories striving to develop new applications of terahertz technology. The source will allow frequency resolution of better than 1 kHz and transmit power levels of milliwatts at 200 GHz and at least 10 microwatts at 1 THz. The system will consist of a low frequency driver module and broadband frequency multipliers. The driver will include a high quality, phase locked oscillator and a power amplifier. Its frequency will be sweepable across the band in <100mS. The multipliers will be used in chains of one, two or three components to cover the frequency range to 1 THz. They will be completely passive and will use highly reliable integrated diode circuits. The multipliers will be connected with waveguide flanges and the system configuration will be changeable to any of the six bands within about one minute. The source will include a feedback control system to maintain stable power. The system will include horn antennas that will couple the energy to free space and high-sensitivity, and broadband diode detectors with microsecond. The entire system will have a total volume of 0.02m^3 and will operate from a standard 120V power line.