Design and Analysis of a Compact Terahertz Signal Generator for Military Communications

Future radar and military communication systems need powerful signal generators with much higher frequencies. In this paper, results of the theoretical and numerical simulation studies of a MW-class, large diameter terahertz wave generator are presented. The device consists of a miniaturized foilless diode as well as an oversized rectangular slow wave structure (SWS) which could support surface wave and provide a strong beam-wave coupling. With the method of particle-in-cell simulation, we investigated the operating characteristics of a prototype 0.22 THz signal generator. It is found that the steady-state, singlemode operation in overmoded situation could be realized by the property of surface wave, and its operation in the first Brillion region demonstrates that the device performs as a forward wave oscillator, which would be employed in military applications.