Sub-terahertz Wave Research Articles

Sub-Terahertz Waveguide Iris Probe for Ex-Vivo Breast Cancer Tumor Margin Assessment

In breast-conserving operations, terahertz imaging (THz) has become a popular method of assessing tumor margins intraoperatively. Typically, THz measurements are conducted with electro-optical setups that penetrate tissue just a few microns deep. The study demonstrates a robust, efficient, and cost-effective electronic sub-THz waveguide probe for detecting tumor margins intraoperatively during lumpectomies. The proposed iris waveguide probe is capable of detecting fat, fibrous, and tumorous tissue in breast tissue. The device can identify both positive and negative margins in the frequency range of 110-170 GHz. The scanning probe can be used to rapidly and effectively depict the excised tissue surface by placing it in contact with it. According to the imaging results, this probe has a lateral sensitivity of 0.2 mm and a detection depth of 1 mm. It is manufactured using CNC micromachining technology to ensure easy and cost-effective production. The probe was designed and tested in HFSS as well as fabricated and validated on an artificial excised breast mimicking phantom. In this research, sub-terahertz waves are used for tissue penetrating imaging of breast tumor margins, which is an application requiring high resolution and accurate techniques.

A Sub-THz High-Order Mode Backward Wave Oscillator Driven by Pseudospark Sourced Multiple Sheet Electron Beams

A novel concept of combining the advantages of pseudospark (PS)-sourced electron beam (high beam current density), multiple-sheet-electron-beams (large total beam cross-sectional area), and high-order mode (HOM) slow wave structure (SWS) (high power capacity) to produce high-power terahertz signals is presented in this article. As an example, a sub-terahertz backward wave oscillator (BEO) driven by PS-sourced dual-sheet-electron-beams is designed. Measured results of the interaction circuit, including transmission/reflection coefficients and the dispersion relation, were in good agreement with simulation predictions. Beam-wave interaction simulations having considered the plasma effect and conductor loss predicted stable output signals with radiation power of 167.4–255.4 W over a tunable bandwidth of 234.4–241.0 GHz.

Effect of Oversized Factor on 0.1 THz Surface Wave Oscillator

Surface wave oscillator (SWO) is an intense subterahertz wave source based on the interaction of an electron beam with a surface wave in a cylindrical corrugated waveguide (CCW). The oversized factor is a key parameter of SWO and is the ratio of the CCW diameter to the wavelength of a generated wave. In this study, we experimentally examine 0.1 THz SWO with different oversized factors of 10 and 7. For an oversized factor of 7, a kilowatt class radiation with a maximum efficiency of 8% is observed. SWO operation can be improved by decreasing the factor from 10 to 7.

Distance Measurement of a Frequency-Shifted Sub-Terahertz Wave Source

In this paper, we report the development of a frequency-shifted (FS) terahertz (THz) wave source for the non-destructive inspection of buildings. Currently, terahertz-time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is the mainstream method for non-destructive inspection using THz waves. However, THz-TDS is limited by its measurement range and difficulties encountered when there is a strong frequency dependence in the absorption characteristics and refractive index of the measurement target. To address these issues, we developed a novel non-destructive approach for inspection applications using frequency-shifted THz waves. Our system uses a frequency-shifted feedback (FSF) laser as the pump light source to generate FS-THz waves; this allowed us to obtain precise distance measurements of objects over a broad range of distances. We tested a prototype FS-THz system and confirmed successful measurement of spatial distances inside a building material.

Direct Measurements of Atmospheric Absorption of Subterahertz Waves in the Northern Caucasus

Direct Measurements of Atmospheric Absorption of Subterahertz Waves in the Northern Caucasus

A filterless frequency 32-tupling photonic scheme to generate Sub-Terahertz wave signal enabled by optical polarization modulators

A scheme based on polarization modulators to generate Sub-Terahertz (Sub-THz) wave signal with frequency 32-tupling is proposed. The system consists of two subsystems in cascade, and each subsystem consists of 4 paralleled polarization modulators. In this scheme, by properly controlling two subsystems, an optical signal with optical carrier and ±16th-order optical sidebands is achieved. Next, by adjusting the optical attenuator and optical phase shifter, the optical carrier can be canceled. Finally, the Sub-THz wave with frequency 32-tupling can be obtained after beaten in the photodetector. The results show the ±16th-order optical sideband suppression ratio is 53.38 dB and the radio frequency sideband suppression ratio of the 32-tupling Sub-THz wave is 42 dB, which are consistent with the theoretical analysis very well. Meanwhile, the effects of phase offset, modulation index, and attenuator deviation on suppression ratio are analyzed.

Linear and Nonlinear Characteristics of a Low-Voltage Gyrotron Backward-Wave Oscillator in the Subterahertz Range

Gyrotrons operating at low voltage are highly attractive for subterahertz applications because such an operation can greatly reduce the size and cost of gyrotron systems. Among the oscillator versions of gyrotrons, the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator (gyro-BWO) features continuous frequency tuning in a broadband. This study investigates the characteristics of the beam-wave interaction in a low-voltage gyro-BWO in the subterahertz wave range. Operation at lower voltages has the advantage of a broader frequency tuning range and the suppression of negative $k_{z}$ competing modes. The phenomenon of a sharp increase in the start-oscillation current near the lower limit of the operating voltage is investigated. In addition to the linear characteristics, the dependence of the efficiency and tuning bandwidth on voltage is analyzed. The potential performance of a low-voltage gyro-BWO is predicted using the existing beam parameters: beam voltage of 2 kV, beam current of 0.2 A with a velocity ratio of 1.0, and axial velocity spread of 20%. Although the gyro-BWO operating at 2 kV exhibits the problem of low efficiency (an efficiency of 5.6%), it has a broad frequency tuning range of 3.0 GHz. The efficiency can be enhanced to 15% (a peak power of 60 W) by tapering the waveguide radius. Possible competing modes in low-voltage operation are considered and a stability analysis reveals stable operation.

Relativistic Sub-THz Surface-Wave Oscillators With Transverse Gaussian-Like Radiation Output

Surface-wave oscillators driven by intense relativistic sheet electron beams can produce sub-terahertz waves at sub-gigawatt level of output power; however, evanescent nature of the operating wave hampers further radiation transmission and application. For these devices, we propose a method of efficient conversion of the surface operating wave into the output Gaussian-like wavebeam radiated in transverse direction with respect to the grating by applying an additional corrugation with a period twice larger than the main period. The analysis based both on the quasi-optical model and on the PIC simulations shows feasibility of 150-GHz surface-wave oscillator with 35 % efficiency and 100 MW output power. The transverse energy extraction significantly reduces the Ohmic losses down to 10% of the radiated power, which is essential for sub-THz range.

Optimized uni-traveling carrier photodiode and mushroom-mesa structure for high-power and sub-terahertz bandwidth under zero- and low-bias operation

In this paper, physically-based simulations are carried out to investigate and design uni-traveling carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) for high-power sub-terahertz wave generation at zero- and low-bias operation. The reliability of the physically-based simulation is demonstrated by comparing with our experimental result. Both the bandwidth and RF output power of the proposed UTC-PD is significantly improved by careful design the built-in electric field distribution under high-power input. For the optimized UTC-PD with the mesa diameter of 5 μm, its 3dB bandwidth large than 100 GHz even if the photocurrent reaches 6 mA under zero-bias operation. The device can reach a high bandwidth of 92.4 GHz, 105 GHz, and 119.5 GHz under the reverse bias of 0.5 V, 1 V, and 2 V, respectively, even the input photocurrent as high as 18.2 mA. The peak output-power of the device has enhanced at least 7 dB even at 170 GHz and zero- or low-bias operation. Besides, a novel design of mushroom-mesa UTC-PD (MM-UTC-PD) is proposed which with 4.3% improved high-speed performance. The MM-UTC-PD can trade-off between the external quantum-efficiency and bandwidth when miniaturized junction size is required.

Effect of Insert Misalignment on a Triangular Corrugated Coaxial Cavity Gyrotron

In this paper, the field analysis of a triangular corrugated coaxial cavity with misaligned insert is carried out for a megawatt-class sub-terahertz wave gyrotron. In misalignment analysis, both parallel displacement of the insert axis and tilting of the insert axis with the outer resonator axis are considered. Graff's addition theorem is used for deriving the eigenvalue equation of the coaxial cavity with such a misaligned insert. Mathematical formulations are carried out to include the effect of insert misalignment on the beam coupling coefficient and ohmic wall loading of the outer cavity and insert of the coaxial cavity gyrotron. The effect of structural misalignment of the insert on the operation of 2-MW, 220-GHz coaxial cavity gyrotron is analyzed. It is shown that insert misalignment reduces RF output power as well as increases ohmic wall loading of the insert beyond the prescribed cooling limit. Compared to tilting of the insert, parallel displacement of the insert causes more deterioration in the gyrotron operation. Comparative studies are also performed for a coaxial cavity with rectangular slots on the insert.

Hexaferrite materials displaying ultra-high coercivity and sub-terahertz ferromagnetic resonance frequencies

Single-domain Sr 1− x /12 Ca x /12 Fe 12− x Al x O 19 ( x = 4–6) particles are synthesized by a simple citrate auto-combustion method. The room temperature coercivity of the materials rises with aluminum content from 21.3 kOe ( x = 4) to a maximum of 36 kOe ( x = 5.5). This value is the highest among ferrite materials to date. Moreover, the magnetic alignment of the particles leads to further coercivity improvement up to 40 kOe. Due to large magnetic anisotropy the samples demonstrate sub-terahertz electromagnetic wave absorption by natural (zero-field) ferromagnetic resonance (NFMR). The absorption lines shift with aluminum substitution from 160 GHz ( x = 4) to 250 GHz ( x = 5.5), which is the record NFMR frequency known for a magnetic material. This research paves the way for development low-cost materials with extremely high coercivity and sub-terahertz NFMR.

Switching of Subterahertz Waves Within a Duration Range of Ten Orders of Magnitude

We consider nanosecond subterahertz waveguide switches based on a 3D resonator with an active element made of a semiconductor, whose conductivity is controlled by a laser. Recently discovered possibilities to use these switches to obtain pulses with very long durations (up to tens of seconds) along with nanosecond pulses in one and the same device prototype are discussed. Switching with no distortion of the coherent radiation of promising subterahertz gyrotrons, which have powers of about several watts and pulse durations of up to ten seconds are demonstrated experimentally. The theoretical estimate of limiting powers of the switched subterahertz waves, which was proposed earlier, is confirmed and generalized. For this purpose, we perform a measurement of the powers by reducing it to a trivial measurement of the power of radiation of an industrial IR laser. Improvement of the resonance characteristics of the developed switch after switching several sequential long subterahertz pulses has been revealed. Most probably, it is due to “burning-off” of microscopic manufacturing defects and the approach of the actual frequency-amplitude characteristic to the calculated one. It has been predicted theoretically and partially confirmed experimentally that it is not possible to disable the switch being in the fundamental equilibrium state upon switching arbitrarily high powers of subteraheratz waves near the resonance band.

Wireless Power Transfer via Subterahertz-Wave

Research on wireless power transmission by a rectenna using millimeter waves and subterahertz waves is gaining attention. It is expected that energy harvesters at high frequencies will be developed for use with future 5 G. High-power wireless power supply to various applications will be possible because of miniaturization of the rectenna. As described herein, we investigate earlier studies of millimeter-wave wireless power supply, selecting and explaining salient examples of millimeter-wave high power wireless power supply.

Generation of THz Modulated Electron Bunches Using Transversally Polarized Waves to Drive a Dielectric Dual-Grating

We propose and design a dual dielectric grating structure for generating electron bunches with THz repetition frequency. Here we apply transversally polarized sub-terahertz waves to transversally illuminate a dielectric dual-grating, within which the sinusoidally varied deflection fields are induced and exerted on the electron bunches passing through the structure. The velocities of electrons within the bunches are modulated in the transversal direction, which then leads to the generation of a train of micro-bunches. The spectra of these micro-bunches have a series of profound high harmonics in the terahertz region. The simulation result of the electron beam’s bunching behavior is discussed in this paper.

Studies on the transmission of sub-THz waves in magnetized inhomogeneous plasma sheath

There have been many studies on the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) wave transmission in reentry plasma sheaths. However, only some of them have paid attention to the transmission of sub-THz waves in magnetized plasma sheaths. In this paper, the transmission of sub-THz waves in both unmagnetized and magnetized reentry plasma sheaths was investigated. The impacts of temporal evolution of the plasma sheath on the wave transmission were studied. The transmission of “atmospheric window” frequencies in a magnetized plasma sheath was discussed in detail. According to the study, the power transmission rates (Tp) for the left hand circular (LHC) and the right hand circular modes in the magnetized plasma sheath are obviously higher and lower than those in the unmagnetized plasma sheath, respectively. The Tp of LHC mode increases with both wave frequency and external magnetic field strength. Also, the Tp of LHC mode in both magnetized and unmagnetized plasma sheaths varies with time due to the temporal evolution of the plasma sheath. Moreover, the performance of sub-THz waves in magnetized plasma sheath hints at a new approach to the “blackout” problem. The new approach, which is in the capability of modern technology, is to utilize the communication system operating at 140 GHz with an onboard magnet installed near the antenna.

Strong yellow emission of high-conductivity bulk ZnO single crystals irradiated with high-power gyrotron beam

We report the strong yellow emission of bulk ZnO single crystals irradiated with the high-power gyrotron beam. Hydrothermally grown bulk crystals with high conductivity are irradiated at room temperature with up to 60-W output of a sub-terahertz gyrotron wave source. During gyrotron irradiation, the high-conductivity crystals exhibit intense emissions with a peak of around 2 eV (600 nm) and a longer-wavelength tail. The sample temperatures were also elevated from room temperature to above 1000 K by irradiation. However, when heated up to 1250 K using a heater without irradiation, the ZnO crystals do not exhibit similar visible emissions. We then use the generalized Planck's radiation in non-equilibrium states as an explanation of our experimental observations. The emission peak intensity can be enhanced by the gyrotron-induced non-equilibrium states, and the emission peak position can be related to the Urbach energy. With high intensities in the visible wavelengths, the emissions of the irradiated crystals can be readily observed with our bare eyes or with inexpensive digital cameras. As the spatial distribution of the yellow emission reflects the gyrotron beam pattern, the bulk ZnO single crystals can then be utilized for the quick diagnosis of gyrotron beam patterns and positions.

Effective Generation of Milliwatt-Level Sub-Terahertz Wave for Nonlinear Response Measurement of Two-Dimensional Material by Optical Heterodyne Technique

By using optical heterodyne technique, we demonstrated the stable emission of sub-terahertz wave with the frequency ranging from 88 GHz to 101 GHz, which can operate as microwave source for nonlinear response measurement system. Mutual frequency beating of two well-separated sideband signals at a 0.1 THz photo-detector (PD) allows for the generation of sub-terahertz signal. Based on this approach, we have achieved the radiation of 0.1 THz wave with power up to 4 mW. By transmittance measurement, two-dimensional nanomaterial topological insulator (TI: Bi2Te3) shows saturable absorption behaviors with normalized modulation depth of 47% at 0.1 THz. Our results show that optical heterodyne technique could be developed as an effective microwave source generation for nonlinear measurement at sub-terahertz, even terahertz band.

High-Brightness Continuously Tunable Narrowband Subterahertz Wave Generation

We report on the generation of high-brightness (high peak power and narrow linewidth) continuously tunable subterahertz waves by optical parametric wavelength conversion using lithium niobate as a nonlinear optical crystal. The high-brightness subterahertz waves were achieved by expanding the interaction volume of the pumping beam and the idler wave, as well as the subterahertz wave, during wavelength conversion and by injecting the seeding beam into the idler wave. We could continuously tune the wavelengths of the generated subterahertz waves by controlling the angle and wavelength difference between the pumping and injection seeding beams to satisfy the noncollinear phase-matching conditions. The high-brightness (maximum peak output power, linewidth) and tunable range were about 10 MW/sr· cm 2 (>7 kW, <;5 GHz), and 760-150 μm (0.39-2 THz), respectively.

A high-power subterahertz surface wave oscillator with separated overmoded slow wave structures**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61231003).

A megawatt-level subterahertz surface wave oscillator (SWO) is proposed to obtain high conversion efficiency by using separated overmoded slow wave structures (SWSs). Aiming at the repetitive operation and practical applications, the device driven by electron beam with modest energy and current is theoretically analyzed and verified. Then, the functions of the two SWS sections and the effect of the drift tube are investigated by using a particle-in-cell code to reveal how the proposed device achieves high efficiency. The mode analysis of the beam-wave interaction region in the device is also carried out, and the results indicate that multi-modes participate in the premodulation of the electron beam in the first SWS section, while the TM01 mode surface wave is successfully and dominantly excited and amplified in the second SWS section. Finally, a typical simulation result demonstrates that at a beam energy of 313 keV, beam current of 1.13 kA, and guiding magnetic field of above 3.5 T, a high-power subterahertz wave is obtained with an output power of about 70 MW at frequency 146.3 GHz, corresponding to the conversion efficiency of 20%. Compared with the results of the previous subterahertz overmoded SWOs with integral SWS and similar beam parameters, the efficiency increases almost 50% in the proposed device.

Electrical potential distribution in terahertz-emitting rectangular mesa devices of high-Tc superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O

Excessive Joule heating of conventional rectangular mesa devices of the high-transition-temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O leads to hot spots, in which the local temperature . Similar devices without hot spots are known to obey the ac-Josephson relation, emitting sub-terahertz (THz) waves at frequencies , where V is the applied dc voltage or electrostatic potential and N is the number of active junctions in the device. However, it often has been difficult to predict the emission f from the applied V for two reasons: N is generally unknown and therefore has been assumed to be a fitting parameter, and especially when hot spots are present, V could develop a spatial dependence that cannot be accurately determined using two-terminal measurements. To clarify the situation, simultaneous SiC microcrystalline photoluminescence measurements of , Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) measurements of f, and both two and four-terminal measurements of the local were performed. The present four-probe measurements provide strong evidence that when a constant V is measured within the device's superconducting region outside of the hot spot, the only requirement for the accuracy of the ac-Josephson relation is the ubiquitous adjustment of the fitting parameter N. The four-probe measurements demonstrate that the electric potential distribution is strongly non-uniform near to the hot spot, but is essentially uniform sufficiently far from it. As expected, the emission frequency follows the ac-Josephson relation correctly even for low bath temperatures at which the system jumps to inner IV characteristic branches with smaller N values, reconfirming the ac-Josephson effect as the primary mechanism for the sub-THz emission.