Tapered slot antenna integrated with velocity-matched distributed photodetector

We propose and demonstrate the integration of tapered slot antenna (TSA) and velocity-matched distributed photodetector (VMDP) which is potentially useful for millimeter-wave power combining and phased arrays, as well as RF front-ends for analog fiber optic links. The concept is confirmed by photomixing and antenna measurement with an X-band prototype, and is readily scalable to higher frequencies where the inherent tremendous bandwidth of optics can be fully employed.