A 1.7-1.9 THz local oscillator source

We report on the design and performance of a ×2×3×3 frequency multiplier chain to the 1.7-1.9 THz band. GaAs-based planar Schottky diodes are utilized in each stage. A W-band power amplifier, driven by a commercially available synthesizer, was used to pump the chain with 100 mW of input power. The peak measured output power at room temperature is 3 μW at 1740 GHz. When cooled to 120 K, the chain provides more than 1.5 μW from 1730 to 1875 GHz and produced a peak of 15 μW at 1746 GHz.