The design of source modules for a millimetre wave optical power combiner

Discusses how the potential use of the quasi-optical power combining circuit depends upon a number of factors viz: the ability to design a source module based upon a small antenna or small array which is capable of radiating an appreciable fraction of the rated power output of the solid state device; and the ability to efficiently couple a large number of devices (≈100) into a single phase locking cavity. Three basic self-oscillating antenna geometries are investigated from the standpoint of the above requirements: surface mounted microstrip patch elements, directly coupled slot elements, and indirectly coupled slots