Abstract

Generation of stable and tunable mm-wave and THz signals is extremely attractive for applications including tomography, gas sensing and imaging for security systems. Currently photonic methods for generating signals at these frequencies show either very limited tunability, as in the case of passively mode-locked lasers and THz quantum cascade lasers [1], or poor spectral purity, evinced in the photomixing of two uncorrelated laser sources [2]. In addition, current systems using the combination of a number of discrete optical elements require the use of bulky alignment optics increasing packaging costs and sensitivity to environmental noise sources.

© 2013 IEEE