Extended Feedback System for Coupled Sub-THz Gyro-Devices to Provide New Regimes of Operation

Abstract

A new type of high-power pulsed source in the millimeter and submillimeter frequency range, utilizing the method of passive mode locking, was proposed in 2015 by the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP-RAS) in Nizhny Novgorod. This principle, well known from laser physics, allows the generation of a periodic series of powerful, coherent, ultrashort pulses. In the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength range, this can be realized using an amplifier and a saturable absorber coupled in a feedback loop. For the coupling of the two devices, a sophisticated feedback system is required. Such a system, based on simple overmoded waveguide components, was previously proposed by the authors. The present article shows how the proposed feedback system can be extended, allowing for a wide range of possible operation regimes for two coupled gyro-devices. Particularly noteworthy is the application of the modified feedback system for the realization of a two-stage amplifier in the subterahertz (sub-THz) range. Furthermore, it seems to be possible to use two helical gyro-devices coupled in the proposed way as a source of coherent pulses, as a free-running or locked continuous wave (CW) source, and as a two-stage amplifier. In all cases, no design changes of the feedback system are required.