A 3.5-THz, ×6-Harmonic, Single-Ended Schottky Diode Mixer for Frequency Stabilization of Quantum-Cascade LasersShow others and affiliations
2021 (English)In: IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, ISSN 2156-342X, E-ISSN 2156-3446, Vol. 11, no 6, p. 684-694Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Efficient and compact frequency converters are essential for frequency stabilization of terahertz sources. In this article, we present a 3.5-THz, × 6-harmonic, integrated Schottky diode mixer operating at room temperature. The designed frequency converter is based on a single-ended, planar Schottky diode with a submicron anode contact area defined on a suspended 2-μ m ultra-thin gallium arsenide substrate. The dc-grounded anode pad was combined with the radio frequency E-plane probe, which resulted in an electrically compact circuit. At 200-MHz intermediate frequency, a mixer conversion loss of about 59 dB is measured resulting in a 40-dB signal-to-noise ratio for phase locking a 3.5-THz quantum-cascade laser. Using a quasi-static diode model combined with electromagnetic simulations, good agreement with the measured results was obtained. Harmonic frequency converters without the need of cryogenic cooling will help in the realization of highly sensitive space and air-borne heterodyne receivers.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society , 2021. Vol. 11, no 6, p. 684-694
Keywords [en]
Frequency converters, frequency stabilization, harmonic mixers, heterodyne receivers, integrated circuits, mixer characterization, phase locking, quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs), Schottky diodes, terahertz electronics, Anodes, Diodes, Electromagnetic simulation, Frequency stability, Gallium arsenide, Harmonic analysis, Heterodyning, Locks (fasteners), Mixer circuits, Natural frequencies, Optical frequency conversion, Phase locked loops, Polarization, Quantum cascade lasers, Radio waves, Schottky barrier diodes, Signal to noise ratio, Timing circuits, Impedance, Integrated circuit modeling, Phase-locking, Radiofrequencies, III-V semiconductors
National Category
Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ri:diva-56913DOI: 10.1109/TTHZ.2021.3115730Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85118600789OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ri-56913DiVA, id: diva2:1613466
2021-11-222021-11-222023-05-16Bibliographically approved