A 245-GHz MMIC Amplifier with 80-μm Output Periphery and 12-dB Gain

In this paper we present a MMIC amplifier which demonstrates ˜12-dB gain at a center frequency of 245-GHz. The MMIC is intended to demonstrate the potential of power amplification at short-millimeter wave frequencies. Each stage of the three stage amplifier utilizes a 1:2 output split to reach a total output periphery of 80-μm. The combination of high realized gain per stage and output periphery indicate the potential generating output powers on the order of several mW at short mm-wave frequencies using MMIC amplifiers for the first time. The amplifier is implemented in coplanar waveguide and uses an InP HEMT process with a 35-nm gate.