Optically controlled THz phased array antennas

太赫兹辐射的许多应用需要紧凑、低成本并且在室温下操作的源。在本项目中，将开发低噪声光控太赫兹阵列天线系统，解决采用太赫兹技术的重大障碍。我们将展示一种新颖的“片上系统”，集成了薄膜天线阵列，光电二极管阵列，半导体光放大器（SOA）阵列和光束形成网络。SOA阵列提高了泵浦功率，并确保所有阵列元件被均匀泵浦。波束形成器用于控制不同太赫兹天线发射的太赫兹辐射之间的相位差，从而实现太赫兹波束的扫描。采用太赫兹重复频率锁模激光器作为光源，将光信号的相位锁定在芯片中，大大减小了太赫兹辐射的线宽。这种太赫兹发射器系统的优点包括由于来自天线的辐射相干组合而产生的高峰强度、室温操作、连续波操作、紧凑的形状因子以及窄的可操纵波束。这些辐射源将被评估用于高带宽无线通信系统和医学成像系统。

Many applications of THz radiation require sources that are compact, low-cost, and operate at room temperature. In this project, a low-noise optically-controlled THz array antenna system will be developed, addressing a significant barrier in the adoption of THz technology. We will demonstrate a novel 'system on a chip', integrating a thin film antenna array, photodiode array, semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) array and optical beam forming network. The SOA array enhances the pump power and ensures all array elements are evenly pumped. The beam former is used to control the phase difference between the THz radiation from different THz antennas, and thus scanning of THz beam can be realized. A THz repetition frequency mode-locked laser will be used as the light source to lock the phase of optical signals in the chip, greatly reducing the linewidth of the THz emission. The advantages of this THz emitter system include a high peak intensity due to radiation from the antennas combining coherently, room temperature operation, continuous-wave operation, compact form factor, and a narrow steerable beam. The sources will be assessed for use in systems for high-bandwidth wireless communications and for medical imaging.