Photonic control of terahertz systems

The use of optical control for millimeter wave systems has been extended recently to frequencies well over 100 GHz. New types of optical modulators, detectors and mixers can now be used to make novel systems for the first time operating at submillimeter wavelengths. In addition to the fabrication of the next generation of traveling wave polymer modulators and phototransistors, we have also developed novel approaches to high frequency testing. These involve both high frequency mixing and femtosecond pulse techniques. Applications of this technology to high frequency, electro-optical oscillators and integrated phase conjugation surfaces are now in their initial stages.