Mutually Injection Locked Multi-Element Terahertz Oscillator Based on AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Avalanche Transit Time Devices

Abstract

The paper investigates the terahertz performance of a mutually injection-locked multi-element high electron mobility avalanche transit time (HEM-ATT) source based on AlGaN/GaN two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG). Utilizing a nanostrip patch type planar coupling circuit, mutual injection locking between adjacent elements is achieved. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the integrated power combining technique in the mutually injection-locked multi-element HEM-ATT oscillator. A ten-element mutually injection-locked integrated power combined source is designed for operation at 1.0 THz, and simulation studies are conducted to examine its DC, large-signal, and avalanche noise characteristics. The capability of generating a narrow-band terahertz wave is verified by introducing various levels of structural mismatches between the elements. Results indicate that the ten-element HEM-ATT oscillator can deliver 2.27 W peak power with a 17% DC to THz conversion efficiency at 1.0 THz. The average noise measure of the oscillator is found to be 12.54 dB. Additionally, the terahertz performance of the mutually injection-locked ten-element HEM-ATT oscillator is compared with other state-of-the-art THz sources to evaluate its potentiality as an excellent integrated THz radiator.

Keywords

• 2-DEG
• AlGaN/GaN
• coupling circuit
• HEM-ATT
• injection locking
• monolithic integration