Accession Number:

ADA278014

Title:

Optically Switched Submillimeter-Wave Oscillator

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Apr 1992-Dec 1993

Corporate Author:

HOWARD UNIV WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Spencer, Michael G.
• Tang, Xiao

Report Date:

1994-02-08

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

There exists a critical need for efficient local oscillators for heterodyne mixers operating in the 300 to 3000 GHz region. Applications include space-based submillimeter wave imaging arrays, airborne atmosphere spectroscopy, all-weather imaging radar, non-destructive testing, plasma diagnostics, weapon and contraband detection and communications. In order to address these problems, we propose a novel low power semiconductor device which uses time delays from a common optical pulse train to achieve a much higher frequency electrical pulse train, which contains a strong component and appreciable power of the desired submillimeter-wave harmonic for the output and which can be readily coupled electrically or radiatively to a receiver. In our effort, we developed a concept of linear array of ten optical switches. The microwave output from the switches can be in the 100 - 200 GHz frequency range. In order to implement this concept, a single photo-conductive switch of polycrystalline InGaAs was fabricated and tested. Optically switched submillimeter.

Descriptors:

• *OSCILLATORS
• *OPTICAL SWITCHING
• *SUBMILLIMETER WAVES
• WEAPONS
• FREQUENCY
• NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
• AIRBORNE
• ARRAYS
• MICROWAVES
• RADAR
• PULSES
• LOCAL OSCILLATORS
• ALL WEATHER
• LINEAR ARRAYS
• PHOTOCONDUCTORS
• POWER
• GALLIUM
• ARSENIDES
• DELAY
• RECEIVERS
• SPACE BASED
• PULSE TRAINS
• POLYCRYSTALLINE
• PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
• SWITCHES
• SEMICONDUCTORS
• SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
• INDIUM ALLOYS
• HARMONICS
• SPECTROSCOPY
• DETECTION
• LOW POWER

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Electrooptical and Optoelectronic Devices

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE