The Generation of Near Millimeter Radiation by Picosecond Pulse Demodulation.
Abstract
Near Millimeter Waves can be generated by the demodulation of a picosecond optical pulse train by a photocathodes. Power is produced by the interaction of a microwave structure and the beam of prebunched electrons produced by the demodulation. These bunched electrons are produced at a photocathode by a picosecond optical pulse train. The separation of the bunching process from the energy extraction interaction introduces substantial flexibility into the design of devices based upon this concept. Perhaps the most important manifestation of this flexibility is the capability of these devices to provide virtually any waveform and pulse sequence desired with complete pulse to pulse phase coherence and rapid, controlled frequency agility. Furthermore, techniques are discussed that can change this coding at speeds governed only by electrooptic time scales. It is also important to note that these devices are not quantum down convertors (which would be limited by Manley-Rowe considerations to a maximum efficiency of approximately 0.1%) but rather 'classical' devices in which gain phenomena can convert DC power to microwave energy, thus providing orders of magnitude more efficiency. In this report and its appendixes, we discuss the basic physics of picosecond demodulation devices, experimental results and systems based upon these concepts. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA125510
Entities
People
- Frank C. De Lucia
Organizations
- Duke University