Harmonic generation using soliton effects on nonlinear transmission lines

There is a need for solid state power sources operating in the 100 GHz to low THz frequency range with power outputs in the milliwatt range. Solid state power sources have traditionally offered microwatts of power at these frequencies. Other schemes use single passive devices exhibiting nonlinear characteristics as frequency multipliers. These however tend to suffer from large conversion losses again limiting available output power. Solitons are single wave pulses which propagate without dispersion and exhibit a number of properties which make them particularly well suited to harmonic generation. A nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) consists of a waveguide periodically loaded with nonlinear elements. By careful selection of the line parameters a NLTL may support the propagation of solitons. The use of novel, high performance non-linear devices as the periodic nonlinear elements in a NLTL which supports soliton propagation offers a number of advantages over single device frequency multiplier as a harmonically produced power source.