Abstract

Recently, a variety of techniques have been developed to generate and detect ultrashort pulses of far-infrared radiation in free space using femtosecond optical excitation. The broadband nature of this THz radiation and the lack of frequency control limits the applicability of these devices to microwave communication systems. Previous efforts to optoelectronically generate narrowband microwave radiation with broad tunabiiity include the use of cw laser heterodyne in photodetectors and HEMTs.¹ Recently, a variety of techniques have been developed to generate and detect ultrashort pulses of far-infrared radiation in free space using femtosecond optical excitation. The broadband nature of this THz radiation and the lack of frequency control limits the applicability of these devices to microwave communication systems. Previous efforts to optoelectronically generate narrowband microwave radiation with broad tunabiiity include the use of cw laser heterodyne in photodetectors and HEMTs.¹

© 1994 Optical Society of America