New Hybrid Electronic THz Sources Extend Operating Range of BWOs to 2.1 THz
Microtech Instruments, Inc. announces new hybrid THz source: QS1-260-TT, which is based on millimeter wave backward wave oscillators (BWOs) combined with two frequency triplers. First invented in the 1950’s, BWOs were extensively used in research across 0.1-1.5 THz range for several decades. However, scientists had to rely on other types of THz sources to reach frequencies above 1.5 THz. The introduction of commercially available QS1-260-TT source overcomes the spectral limitation of BWO technology, extending spectral coverage to 2.1 THz.
“This development will allow the many users of BWOs to upgrade their systems capabilities to 1.7 – 2.1 THz range. Output power of QS1-260-TT ranges from 1 to 5 ??W, which is well above sensitivity limit of good pyroelectric detectors and Golay Cells”, commented Dr. Hurlbut, senior research scientist at Microtech. “The extended spectral range, reduced footprint, lower operating voltage, and good reliability of the millimeter wave BWO’s make the hybrid electronic sources an excellent option for THz researchers and industrial applications specialists.”
This development is a result of a joint project between Microtech Instruments, Inc., Virginia Diodes, Inc., and Prof. Frank DeLucia of Ohio State University. The project was partly funded by DARPA SBIR program (topic number SB062-002), initiated by Dr. Henry Everitt.