sub-THz Frequency Research Articles

Design of sub-THz traveling wave tubes for high data rate long range wireless links

The development of high capacity wireless networks, to satisfy the increasing demand of mobile high-speed internet, is stimulating the exploitation of the wide frequency bands in the millimeter and THz range. Above 100 GHz, the high atmosphere attenuation is the major obstacle for wireless links of adequate length, due to the low power available from solid state amplifiers. Traveling wave tubes (TWT) are promising devices capable og generating multi-watt power at sub-THz frequency. In this paper, the design and performance of a TWT in the 210–250 GHz band with about 1 W output power will be described, to power a 40 Gigabits per second optical transmitter for 1 km point-to-point link. A novel approach for a simple and low-cost fabrication, based on the use of the double corrugated waveguide is proposed.

Novel measurement technique for the electromagnetic characterization of coating materials in the sub-THz frequency range

This paper describes a reliable, handy, and inexpensive measurement system to characterize, in the sub-THz frequency range, the coating materials used in the beam pipes of accelerators. The method is based on time domain measurements of an electromagnetic wave passing through a waveguide having a thin central slab, where the coating material is deposited on both sides. Two horn antennas are integrated on both sides of the device to optimize the signal collection and detection. This novel technique is tested on slabs coated with a nonevaporable getter (NEG) and allows to evaluate the surface impedance in the frequency range from 0.1 to 0.3 THz.

Control of the phase of the magnetization precession excited by circularly polarized femtosecond-laser pulses

The inverse Faraday effect induced in magnetic films by ultrashort laser pulses allows excitation and control of spins at GHz and sub-THz frequencies. Frequency of the excited magnetization precession is easily tunable by the external magnetic field. On the other hand, phase of the precession hardly depends on magnetic field. Here we demonstrate an approach for the control of the precession phase by variation of the incidence angle of the laser pulses. In particular, theoretical consideration states that the phase increases with increase of the incidence angle and for small angles this relation is a direct proportionality. Experimental studies confirm this conclusion and provide shift of phase by about 4 deg. for the declination of the incidence angle by 15 deg. from the normal. This study provides a simple way for additional manipulation with optically excited magnetization dynamics, which is of importance for different spintronic applications.

THz detectors based on Si-CMOS technology field effect transistors – advantages, limitations and perspectives for THz imaging and spectroscopy

Recent advances in THz detection with the use of CMOS technology have shown that this option has the potential to be a leading method of producing low-cost THz sensors with integrated readout systems. This review paper, based on authors’ years of experience, presents strengths and weaknesses of this solution. The article gives examples of some hints, regarding radiation coupling and readout systems. It shows that silicon CMOS technology is well adapted to the production of inexpensive imaging systems for sub-THz frequencies. As an example paper presents the demonstrator of a multipixel Si-CMOS THz spectroscopic system allowing for chemical identification of lactose. The THz detectors embedded in this system were manufactured using the CMOS process.

Cascaded interactions mediated by terahertz radiation.

We investigate a regime of parametric amplification in which the pump and signal waves are spectrally separated by only a few hundreds of GHz frequency - therefore resulting in a sub-THz frequency idler wave. Operating in this regime we find an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) behavior which is highly dissimilar to conventional OPAs. In this regime, we observe multiple three-wave mixing processes occurring simultaneously which results in spectral cascading around the pump and signal wave. Via numerical simulations, we elucidate the processes at work and show that cascaded optical parametric amplification offers a pathway toward THz-wave generation beyond the Manly-Rowe limit and toward the generation of high-energy, sparse frequency-combs.

Estimation of dark and active dielectric constants in the sub-THz frequency domain of an optically tunable organic semiconductor blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester

The dielectric properties of a 95% poly(3-hexylthiophene):5% phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester blend are measured in the dark and under white light illumination by quasi-optical transmissometry and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The real part of the dielectric constant varies monotonically between 2.75 and 3.50, in agreement with the literature, and displays a reversible photoinduced drop of 0.05–0.55 at sub-THz. The imaginary part fluctuates between 0.1 and 1.5 in the dark and displays a reversible increase upon illumination of 0.10–0.52 at sub-THz. The corresponding charge carrier concentration under illumination (using transient and steady-state photoconduction) is 1014 to 1015 cm−3.

Generation and amplification of sub-THz radiation in a rare gases plasma formed by a two-color femtosecond laser pulse

A new approach to constructing the source of radiation in the sub-THz frequency range is discussed. It is based on the strong-field ionization of heavy rare gases with Ramsauer minimum in the transport cross-section by a two-color () femtosecond laser pulse. Then a four-photon nonlinear process ( are the frequencies from the spectral width of the pulse with frequency ω, and is the frequency from the spectral width of the second harmonic 2ω) with a transition to the initial state results in a low-frequency spontaneous emission that can be amplified in the strongly nonequilibrium laser plasma if the position of the photoelectron peaks is located in the region of growing energy transport cross-section.

Excitation of hybridized Dirac plasmon polaritons and transition radiation in multi-layer graphene traversed by a fast charged particle

We analyze the energy loss channels for a fast charged particle traversing a multi-layer graphene (MLG) structure with N layers under normal incidence. Focusing on a terahertz (THz) range of frequencies, and assuming equally doped graphene layers with a large enough separation d between them to neglect interlayer electron hopping, we use the Drude model for two-dimensional conductivity of each layer to describe hybridization of graphene’s Dirac plasmon polaritons (DPPs). Performing a layer decomposition of ohmic energy losses, which include excitation of hybridized DPPs (HDPPs), we have found for N = 3 that the middle HDPP eigenfrequency is not excited in the middle layer due to symmetry constraint, whereas the excitation of the lowest HDPP eigenfrequency produces a Fano resonance in the graphene layer that is first traversed by the charged particle. While the angular distribution of transition radiation emitted in the far field region also shows asymmetry with respect to the traversal order by the incident charged particle at supra-THz frequencies, the integrated radiative energy loss is surprisingly independent of both d and N for N ≤ 5, which is explained by a dominant role of the outer graphene layers in transition radiation. We have further found that the integrated ohmic energy loss in optically thin MLG scales as ∝1/N at sub-THz frequencies, which is explained by exposing the role of dissipative processes in graphene at low frequencies. Finally, prominent peaks are observed at supra-THz frequencies in the integrated ohmic energy loss for MLG structures that are not optically thin. The magnitude of those peaks is found to scale with N for N ≥ 2, while their shape and position replicate the peak in a double-layer graphene (N = 2), which is explained by arguing that plasmon hybridization in such MLG structures is dominated by electromagnetic interaction between the nearest-neighbor graphene layers.

High-power sub-terahertz source with a record frequency stability at up to 1\u2009Hz

Many state-of-the-art fundamental and industrial projects need the use of terahertz radiation with high power and small linewidth. Gyrotrons as radiation sources provide the desired level of power in the sub-THz and THz frequency range, but have substantial free-running frequency fluctuations of the order of 10−4. Here, we demonstrate that the precise frequency stability of a high-power sub-THz gyrotron can be achieved by a phase-lock loop in the anode voltage control. The relative width of the frequency spectrum and the frequency stability obtained for a 0.263 THz/100 W gyrotron are 4 × 10−12 and 10−10, respectively, and these parameters are better than those demonstrated so far with high-power sources by almost three orders of magnitude. This approach confirms its potential for ultra-high precision spectroscopy, the development of sources with large-scale radiating apertures, and other new projects.

Modelling, simulation and computer-aided design (CAD) of gyrotrons for novel applications in the high-power terahertz science and technologies

Gyrotrons are the most powerful sources of CW coherent radiation in the sub-THz and THz frequency bands. In recent years, they have demonstrated a remarkable potential for bridging the so-called THz-gap in the electromagnetic spectrum and opened the road to many novel applications of the terahertz waves. Among them are various advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., ESR and DNP-NMR), plasma physics and fusion research, materials processing and characterization, imaging and inspection, new medical technologies and biological studies. In this paper, we review briefly the current status of the research in this broad field and present our problem-oriented software packages developed recently for numerical analysis, computer-aided design (CAD) and optimization of gyrotrons.

The Nature of the Dielectric Response of Methanol Revealed by the Terahertz Kerr Effect.

The dielectric response of liquids in the terahertz (THz) and sub-THz frequency range arises from low-energy collective molecular motions, which are often strongly influenced by intermolecular interactions. To shed light on the microscopic origin of the THz dielectric response of the simplest alcohol, methanol, we resonantly excite this liquid with an intense THz electric-field pulse and monitor the relaxation of the induced optical birefringence. We find a unipolar THz-Kerr-effect signal which, in contrast to aprotic polar liquids, shows a weak coupling between the THz electric field and the permanent molecular dipole moment of the liquid. We assign this weak coupling to the restricted translational rather than rotational nature of the excited mode. Our approach opens a new avenue to the assignment of the dielectric spectrum of liquids to a microscopic origin.

A New Method for Dielectric Characterization in Sub-THz Frequency Range

A new method for broadband characterization of dielectrics in the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) frequency range is presented. Quasi-optical free space measurement setup is used to determine the complex reflection coefficient in a wide frequency band. This method makes it possible to characterize every dielectric by using only the measured complex reflection coefficient without accurate information about the thickness of dielectric sample. This method is useful in case of lossy and/or thick dielectric samples and is based on modern measurement equipment feasibility, with the possibility to make measurements in high number of frequency points. The mathematical model of the method is formulated. Finally, results of measurements for different dielectrics are presented. The obtained permittivity values of these dielectrics are comparable to those reported in the literature.

Ultrafast terahertz detectors based on three-dimensional meta-atoms

Terahertz (THz) and sub-THz frequency emitter and detector technologies are receiving increasing attention, underpinned by emerging applications in ultra-fast THz physics, frequency-combs technology and pulsed laser development in this relatively unexplored region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In particular, semiconductor-based ultrafast THz receivers are required for compact, ultrafast spectroscopy and communication systems, and to date, quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) have proved to be an excellent technology to address this given their intrinsic ps-range response However, with research focused on diffraction-limited QWIP structures (lambda/2), RC constants cannot be reduced indefinitely, and detection speeds are bound to eventually meet un upper limit. The key to an ultra-fast response with no intrinsic upper limit even at tens of GHz is an aggressive reduction in device size, below the diffraction limit. Here we demonstrate sub-wavelength (lambda/10) THz QWIP detectors based on a 3D split-ring geometry, yielding ultra-fast operation at a wavelength of around 100 {\mu}m. Each sensing meta-atom pixel features a suspended loop antenna that feeds THz radiation in the ~20 m3 active volume. Arrays of detectors as well as single-pixel detectors have been implemented with this new architecture, with the latter exhibiting ultra-low dark currents below the nA level. This extremely small resonator architecture leads to measured optical response speeds - on arrays of 300 devices - of up to ~3 GHz and an expected device operation of up to tens of GHz, based on the measured S-parameters on single devices and arrays.

Sub‐THz Response of Strained‐Silicon MODFETs

Plasma waves in gated 2‐D systems can be used to detect THz electromagnetic radiation. This work reports on a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic‐model (HDM) applied to investigate the sub‐THz photovoltaic response of Schottky‐gated strained‐Si MODFETs. TCAD simulation results are validated through comparison with measurements on the transistors. Simulation and experimental results show an excellent agreement in terms of the efficiency of the transconductance. The measurement of the photovoltaic response of s‐Si MOSFETs with 100‐nm gate length is carried out at two sub‐THz frequencies: 0.15 and 0.3 THz. The THz photovoltaic response of the transistor is implemented in TCAD, as in measurements, grounding the source, biasing the gate, and floating the drain contact while a sub‐THz sinusoidal signal is superimposed to the bias gate voltage. In agreement with measurements, a non‐resonant sub‐THz photovoltaic response is found for the simulated devices. As THz detection by any plasma wave FET depends on many parameters (device dimensions, material system, the excitation frequency, etc.), its optimization is a complex problem that needs to be addressed using physics‐based tools, like the HDM. Since the HDM is able to describe in detail the photovoltaic response, its use may be generalized to design plasma wave s‐Si MODFET detectors.

A Low-Power SiGe BiCMOS 190-GHz Receiver With 47-dB Conversion Gain and 11-dB Noise Figure for Ultralarge-Bandwidth Applications

This paper presents a 190-GHz direct-conversion receiver capable of supporting higher order modulation schemes and implemented in a 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The circuit consists of a low-noise amplifier, an active fundamental mixer, a local-oscillator driver, a variable-gain baseband (BB) amplifier, and a totem-pole output stage. To exploit the advantages of sub-THz frequencies in terms of available bandwidth (BW) at a low dc power consumption, all circuit blocks are concurrently optimized for large BW and high power efficiency. A high and tunable conversion gain as well as a large maximum BB voltage swing is targeted to allow direct operation with state-of-the-art analog-to-digital converters. While consuming only 122 mW of dc power, the fabricated circuit exhibits a record 3-dB RF BW of 35 GHz, a maximum conversion gain of 47 dB with a tuning range of 20 dB, a maximum BB voltage swing of more than 800 $\text {mV}_{\mathrm{ pp}}$ , and a minimum double-sideband noise figure of 10.7 dB.

Development of over-MW gyrotrons for fusion at 14 GHz to sub-THz frequencies

Megawatt power gyrotrons are being developed for collaborative electron cyclotron heating (ECH) studies of advanced fusion devices and demonstration power plant (DEMO). (1) In the first experiment of a 300 GHz gyrotron, an output power above 0.5 MW in the TE32,18 single mode was achieved with a pulse width of 2 ms. This was the first observation of MW-scale oscillations in a DEMO-relevant gyrotron mode. It was also found that the reflection at the output window affected the determination of the oscillation mode. Furthermore, several single mode oscillations in the 226–254 GHz range were confirmed, which is important for the step-frequency tunable gyrotron in the sub-THz frequency range. (2) Based on the successful results of the 77 and 154 GHz large helical device (LHD) tubes, a new 154/116 GHz dual-frequency gyrotron with an output of over 1.5 MW is being designed. (3) A new record output of 1.38 MW was obtained using an existing 28 GHz gyrotron. A newly designed tube aimed at achieving a dual-frequency output power of 2 MW at 28 GHz (0.4 MW continuous wave) and 1 MW at 35 GHz was built. In the first experimental test, main mode oscillations were observed at the frequencies of 28.036 and 34.831 GHz with Gaussian-like output beams and output power of 1.27 and 0.48 MW, respectively. A total efficiency of 50% was achieved at 28 GHz operation.

Monochromatic coherent grating transition radiation in sub-THz frequency range

Grating transition radiation (GTR) emitted by electrons interacting with a diffraction grating was experimentally confirmed. This radiation appears when a charge intersects the grating at some inclination angle θ between the main grating plane and the charge velocity vector. If the condition θ=0 is fulfilled the GTR tends to the conventional Smith-Purcell radiation. In this report we present the experimental investigation of spectral and orientation dependencies of a coherent GTR in sub-THz wavelength region emitted by 8MeV electron at KEK LUCX facility. The coherent GTR spectral line shapes up to 5th diffraction order were measured for different inclination angles (θ=0–25deg) with the grating period 4mm. A pair of room-temperature Schottky barrier diode (SBD) detectors with sensitivity bands 60–90GHz and 320–460GHz were used. The estimation of radiation frequency dependence on the inclination angle using the dispersion relation justifies the usage of different narrow-band SBD detectors to investigate different diffraction orders of coherent GTR spectral lines. It was shown that the bandwidth of the GTR spectral lines decreases with the diffraction order. The comparison with coherent transition radiation in the same frequency range showed that the brightness of both radiation mechanisms are comparable.

Monochromaticity of coherent Smith-Purcell radiation from finite size grating

Investigation of coherent Smith-Purcell Radiation (SPR) spectral characteristics was performed both experimentally and by numerical simulation. The measurement of SPR spectral line shapes of different diffraction orders was carried out at KEK LUCX facility. A pair of room-temperature Schottky barrier diode (SBD) detectors with sensitivity bands of $60-90$~GHz and $320-460$~GHz was used in the measurements. Reasonable agreement of experimental results and simulations performed with CST Studio Suite justifies the use of different narrow-band SBD detectors to investigate different SPR diffraction orders. It was shown that monochromaticity of the SPR spectral lines increases with diffraction order. The comparison of coherent transition radiation and coherent SPR intensities in sub-THz frequency range showed that the brightnesses of both radiation mechanisms were comparable. A fine tuning feasibility of the SPR spectral lines is discussed.

Tunable terahertz waves from 4-dimethylamino-N′-methyl-4′-stibazolium tosylate pumped with dual-wavelength injection-seeded optical parametric generation

We developed a widely tunable terahertz (THz)-wave source covering the sub-THz frequency by difference frequency generation using a 4-dimethylamino-N′-methyl-4′-stibazolium tosylate (DAST) crystal. Near-infrared waves generated by dual-wavelength injection-seeded β-BaB2O4 optical parametric generation (is-BBO-OPG) were used for pumping the DAST crystal, which had separated wavelengths in the spectrum with a difference frequency of sub-THz. Furthermore, the non-collinear phase-matching condition was designed to compensate the walk-off effect of the BBO crystal. Consequently, tunable THz-waves from 0.3 to 4 THz were generated by tuning the wavelength of one of the seeding beams. The generated sub-THz-waves were monochromatic (dν < 33 GHz) with a maximum energy of 80 pJ at 0.65 THz.

Spectral Trends of Solar Bursts at Sub-THz Frequencies

Previous sub-THz studies were derived from single-event observations. We here analyze for the first time spectral trends for a larger collection of sub-THz bursts. The collection consists of a set of 16 moderate to small impulsive solar radio bursts observed at 0.2 and 0.4 THz by the Solar Submillimeter-wave Telescope (SST) in 2012 – 2014 at El Leoncito, in the Argentinean Andes. The peak burst spectra included data from new solar patrol radio telescopes (45 and 90 GHz), and were completed with microwave data obtained by the Radio Solar Telescope Network, when available. We critically evaluate errors and uncertainties in sub-THz flux estimates caused by calibration techniques and the corrections for atmospheric transmission, and introduce a new method to obtain a uniform flux scale criterion for all events. The sub-THz bursts were searched during reported GOES soft X-ray events of class C or larger, for periods common to SST observations. Seven out of 16 events exhibit spectral maxima in the range 5 – 40 GHz with fluxes decaying at sub-THz frequencies (three of them associated to GOES class X, and four to class M). Nine out of 16 events exhibited the sub-THz spectral component. In five of these events, the sub-THz emission fluxes increased with a separate frequency from that of the microwave spectral component (two classified as X and three as M), and four events have only been detected at sub-THz frequencies (three classified as M and one as C). The results suggest that the THz component might be present throughout, with the minimum turnover frequency increasing as a function of the energy of the emitting electrons. The peculiar nature of many sub-THz burst events requires further investigations of bursts that are examined from SST observations alone to better understand these phenomena.