Four-leaf-clover-shaped antenna for a THz photomixer

Opt Express. 2010 Aug 30;18(18):18532-42. doi: 10.1364/OE.18.018532.

Abstract

To improve the output power of a photomixer used as a THz source, we propose a four-leaf-clover-shaped antenna structure composed of a highly resonant radiation element and a stable DC feed element. The resonance characteristics of the proposed structure were first investigated on a half-infinite substrate as a simplified radiation environment to reduce the computation time. Based on the antenna characteristics on that half-infinite substrate, the antenna structure was designed to have a maximum total efficiency and a maximum directivity on an extended hemispherical lens. The input resistance of this structure was six times that of a full-wavelength dipole, significantly improving the mismatch efficiency between a photomixer and the antenna. The terahertz output power from this structure is expected to be 2.7 times that of a full-wavelength dipole.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Lenses
  • Light*
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared / methods
  • Terahertz Radiation