Integrated 460 GHz photonic transmitter module

Abstract

A photonic sub-millimetre (sub-mm) wave transmitter module has been developed and fabricated. The module consists of a 1.55 /spl mu/m waveguide InP photodetector monolithically integrated with a planar full wave slot antenna and passive lowpass filter for DC bias supply. For the first time, optical heterodyne 460 GHz sub-mm signal generation is demonstrated It is further shown that the module can effectively replace the classical solid-state oscillator of an astronomical superconductor-insulator-superconductor heterodyne receiver The module generates sufficient sub-mm wave power to operate the receiver under optimum conditions.