High-power THz pulse radiation with GHz repetition rate in silicon

In this paper, multiple techniques for generating and radiating picosecond pulses from a single silicon chip are reported. These techniques do not require a laser. They are based on direct conversion of a digital trigger to a THz impulse. The first technique is based on storing magnetic energy on an on-chip slot-bow-tie antenna and then releasing it with an external trigger through a fast switching circuit. The second method is based on Nonlinear Q-Switching Impedance (NLQSI). The first method produces pulses with a FWHM of 5.4psec and an EIRP of 30dBm. This chip is implemented in a 90nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The second method generates pulses with a FWHM of 4psec and an EIRP of 13.6dBm. This chip is implemented in a 130nm SiGe BiCMOS technology.