Next generation solid-state broadband frequency-multiplied terahertz sources

Planar Schottky diode based frequency multiplied sources are the preferred devices to be used as local oscillators for high resolution heterodyne spectrometers in the terahertz regime in spite of its a priori low overall efficiency and output power. With the latest advances in device optimization and micro-fabrication processes record performances of 50 µW at 1.9 THz and 18 µW at 2.58 THz have been recently demonstrated at room temperature. ‘On-chip’ power-combining and other novel topologies will be employed together with silicon micromachining techniques to boost up even more the performance for next-generation frequency-multiplied sources. This will enable heterodyne detection up to 4.7 THz and multi-pixel detection beyond 1 THz with all-solid state ultra-compact low-mass tunable and broadband terahertz spectrometers for future astrophysics and planetary science missions as well as on-Earth applications.