Demonstration of Sub-THz Traveling-Wave Resonant-Tunneling-Diode Oscillators

As a proof of principle, operation of traveling-wave resonant-tunneling-diodes (RTDs) oscillators has been demonstrated experimentally in the frequency range 100-400 GHz. A theoretical model describing a realistic coupled system, consisting of a traveling-wave RTD and a patch antenna, has been developed. The model describes the eigen resonances and the eigen modes, which have a mixed character of both subsystems. The model and the experimental results are in agreement with each other. We also demonstrate that some oscillators were switching between different resonant modes of the system with the change of bias. The phenomenon could be used for an extended frequency control of the RTD oscillators.

Automated summary

As a proof of principle, the operation of traveling-wave resonant-tunneling-diodes (RTDs) oscillators has been experimentally demonstrated in the frequency range of 100-400 GHz. A theoretical model has been developed to describe a realistic coupled system, consisting of a traveling-wave RTD and a patch antenna, which depicts the mixed resonance and mode characteristics of both subsystems. The model and experimental results are in agreement. It has also been shown that some oscillators can switch between different resonant modes of the system with a change in bias, offering an extended frequency control for RTD oscillators.