The Terahertz frequency band, from roughly 300 GHz through 10 THz, is often sited as the most scientifically rich, yet unexplored region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The major problem that continues to forestall the full exploitation of the terahertzband is the lack of compact, reliable and cost… More

The Terahertz frequency band, spanning from roughly 100 GHz through 10 THz, is often sited as the most scientifically rich, yet unexplored region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The major problem that has forestalled the full exploitation of thisfrequency band is the lack of convenient and reliable… More

There exists a need for versatile, compact and affordable heterodyne receivers for atmospheric remote sensing from aircraft and space platforms, as well as a host of other scientific, military and commercial applications. In Phase I we will utilize our innovative GaAs-on-dielectric integrated… More

The spectral band from 1 - 5THz contains a wealth of information about the chemistry of the upper atmosphere and the structure and evolution of the Universe. The recent development of superconductive hot electron bolometers (HEBs) has made it possible for NASA to cover this frequency band with… More

The spectral band from 1 - 5THz contains a wealth of information about the chemistry of the upper atmosphere and the structure and evolution of the Universe. The recent development of superconductive hot electron bolometers (HEBs) has made it possible for NASA to cover this frequency band with… More

We propose to replace the Gunn Diode Oscillators (GDOs) in NASA?s millimeter- and submillimeter-wave sensing instruments. Our new solution will rely on modern and reliable microwave integrated circuit technology. Specifically our systems will use highly developed microwave oscillators to achieve a… More

The goal of this proposal is to develop frequency domain terahertz spectrometers for chemical and biological sensing based on compact and reliable all-solid-state components. VDI's novel integration technology allows full waveguide band performance without mechanical tuners as well as unprecedented… More

We will focus our diode based multiplier technologies toward achieving a source suitable for the NIST imaging system in the 200 ¿ 400 GHz band. To date our best doubler to 200 GHz generates up to 55 mW of (CW) power with 30% efficiency and 15% (3dB) bandwidth. However, the NIST imaging system… More

The ultimate goal of this research is to create a militarily viable terahertz technology suitable for use in portable spectrometers for point and stand-off detection of explosives and chemical and biological threat agents. To achieve this goal Virginia Diodes will develop a compact and reliable… More

The objective of this Phase II project is to develop and demonstrate a compact and reliable oscillator technology for the frequency band from 100 ? 250 GHz for use in terahertz local oscillators and transmitters. The new oscillators rely on MMIC technology that is reliable and robust, offers the… More

The best low-noise receiver solutions for frequencies above about 800 GHz rely on either a low-noise bolometric direct detector or a hot electron bolometric mixer. These receivers yield near quantum limited noise performance and have ultra broad signal bandwidth [ , , ]. However, due to their… More

VDI will create a solid-state terahertz source for use in research laboratories striving to develop new applications of terahertz technology. The source will allow frequency resolution of better than 1 kHz and transmit power levels of milliwatts at 200 GHz and at least 10 microwatts at 1 THz. The… More

Terahertz sources based on lower frequency oscillators and amplifiers plus a chain of frequency multipliers are the workhorse technology for NASA's terahertz missions. The design and optimization of individual multipliers is fairly well understood. However, the complex interactions within a chain of… More

The technical objective of this SBIR program is to develop and demonstrate metal mesh filters for use in NASA's low noise receivers for terahertz astronomy and atmospheric studies. Metal mesh filters, based on a free-standing sheet of metal with a periodic area of apertures, have been used for many… More

The primary obstacle to greater scientific and commercial exploitation of the terahertz frequency band (spanning from about 100 GHz through 10 THz) is the lack of sources that generate sufficient power, are frequency tunable, and are sufficiently reliable, compact, and affordable. This project will… More

To develop reliable THz sources with high power and high DC-RF efficiency, Virginia Diodes, Inc. will develop a thorough understanding of the complex interactions that occur within a chain of nonlinear frequency multipliers. These nonlinear interactions can cause rapid variations in power as the… More

VDI's goal is to use new materials and processing techniques to achieve low barrier diodes that can be used as very sensitive zero-bias detectors and frequency mixers with extremely low local oscillator power requirements. The basic device goals, in terms of the materials study, are to achieve a… More

This proposal is responsive to NASA SBIR Subtopic S1.03: Passive Microwave Technology, specifically the fourth bullet item; "Low noise (

The terahertz frequency band, spanning from about 100 GHz through 10 THz, is today the most exciting region of the electromagnetic spectrum for scientists and engineers.VDI will create a compact and easy to use terahertz source. VDI's integrated diode circuits will be used to extend the… More

Modular frequency extenders will be developed for Vector Network Analyzers to extend their frequency range throughout the band from 100 GHz through 1THz with excellent dynamic range (100dB) and the capability for full four port measurements. The extenders will rely on VDI's full waveguide band… More

This proposal is responsive to NASA SBIR Subtopic S1.03: Passive Microwave Technology, specifically the fourth bullet item; "Low noise (

Microwave radiometry is a well-known and extremely useful method to study the chemistry and dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere. For accurate long term measurements, the calibration and stability of the radiometer is of primary importance. Thus, the noise-injection radiometer (NIR), which greatly… More

The technical requirements for the ITER LFS Reflectometer include a frequency range from 50 ¿ 170 GHz, a source power level of 150mW or more, and a frequency sweeping time of ten microseconds or less. Further, the various frequencies must be coupled simultaneously into a single circular… More

  Modular system will be developed to extend the frequency range of Vector Network Analyzers to at least 1 THz. These extenders will offer excellent dynamic range and stability, as well as the capability for fully calibrated measurements. The extenders will rely on innovative full… More

The US role in ITER is focused on the key diagnostic instruments, such as the Low Field Side (LFS) Reflectometer. Present concepts for this instrument require an all-solid

The ITER ECE Radiometer system is envisioned to cover the frequency range from about 200- 300GHz with a set of three high reliability receivers. Each receiver will use a fixed frequency local oscillator source and a very broad IF bandwidth. The primary technical challenges are achieving flat… More

The US role in ITER is focused on the key diagnostic instruments, such as the Electron Cyclotron Emission (ECE) Radiometer. Present concepts for this instrument require a compact and reliable receiver that yields instantaneous coverage of the 200-300GHz frequency range. Presently available… More