Development of a Near Terahertz Backward Wave Oscillator Using Standard Waveguide

There is a demand for terahertz (THz) frequency radiation sources. Applications include, but are not limited to, imaging for medical and security purposes, biochemical and organic spectroscopy, and velocimetry. Historically, there was a limited supply of THz devices due to technological limitations. In recent years much progress has been made to reduce this “gap” in supply and demand for THz sources. This work proposes a vacuum electronic device that produces high power, extremely high frequency radiation in the G-band, by utilizing a backward wave oscillator (BWO) based on WR3 standard waveguide. This device is compact, fundamentally simple, and has great potential as a useful source of THz frequency radiation. The following chapters will present the process of development, simulation, initial fabrication, and results of this device. The new near-THz BWO based on standard waveguide provides stable power, clean narrowband operation, and may be incorporated into compact modules for widespread application.