Performance characterization of a millimeter-wave photomixer
Date
2011
Authors
Makiwa, Gibion
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, c2011
Abstract
Our group purchased a THz photomixer from the Millimeter Wave Technology
Group at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in London, UK. A photomixer is based on
optical heterodyne conversion where a photoconductor or photodiode is illuminated by two
laser beams with a difference frequency in the THz region. The beat frequency of the
two lasers will modulate the conductivity of the photomixer material. The variation of
the conductivity is converted to electrical current and finally radiation by applying a bias
voltage across the active region of the device. My thesis concerns the determination of the
characteristics of the photomixer, which is an expensive and extremely sensitive piece of
equipment, to optimize its performance in support of a number of research activities within
the group.
Description
xvii, 120 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 29 cm
Keywords
Terahertz technology , Terahertz spectroscopy , Spectrum analysis , Dissertations, Academic