High Sensitivity Submillimeter Heterodyne Receiver

Radiometric sensitivity measurements have been made on a quasi-optical receiver in the spectral range 170 mu m to 1 mm. Using GaAs Schottky mixer diodes in a corner reflector configuration, a total system noise temperature of 9,700 K (DSB) has been obtained at 447 mu m. This same quasi-optical mixer has also been used for harmonic generation of tunable radiation suitable for spectroscopic applications.