A multi-pixel room-temperature local oscillator subsystem for array receivers at 1.9 THz

We report on the first room-temperature modular multi-pixel Schottky diode-based, tunable, frequency-multiplied local oscillator sub-system at 1.9 THz. This source has been developed to enable efficient high-resolution mapping of the C+ line using suborbital platforms such as the SOFIA aircraft and balloons, as well as space instruments. This compact LO source features four multipliers (X3X2X3X3) to up-convert Ka-band power to 1.9 THz. Preliminary results at 300 K demonstrate more than 5 μW per pixel at 1.9 THz. The source is designed to provide a large output power dynamic range and can be expanded to larger array receivers.