Quasi-optical frequency conversion arrays

A preliminary investigation of quasi-optical frequency conversion arrays is described. Using a diode loaded dipole placed between two parallel conducting plates to simulate an array, we were able to demonstrate enhanced conversion efficiency into the second harmonic and obtain spontaneous parametric oscillation for certain array geometries. Sub-harmonic parametric oscillation was achieved by strongly driving the nonlinear antenna at a single pump frequency while the cavity length was adjusted for resonance at a subharmonic, and a well-defined threshold for this parametric down-conversion was observed.<
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