Heterodyne detection and polarization effects at 300 GHz using Ne indicator lamp glow discharge detectors

Avihai Aharon Akram, D. Rozban, A. Abramovich, N. S. Kopeika

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A miniature neon indicator lamp, also known as a Glow Discharge Detector (GDD), costing about 50 cents, was found to be an excellent room temperature THz radiation detector. A proof of concept of 300 GHz heterodyne detection using GDD is demonstrated in this paper. Furthermore, a comparison to direct detection was carried-out and polarization effects on heterodyne detection were investigated. Preliminary results at 300 GHz showed better sensitivity by a factor of 20 with only 56 microwatt local oscillator power using heterodyne compared to direct detection. Further improvement of the detection sensitivity can be achieved if the Local Oscillator (LO) power (Plo) is increased. Effects of orthogonal polarizations of signal and local oscillator powers on heterodyne sensitivity were found to be surprisingly weak.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2013 IEEE International Conference on Microwaves, Communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems, COMCAS 2013
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2013 IEEE International Conference on Microwaves, Communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems, COMCAS 2013 - Tel Aviv, Israel
Duration: 21 Oct 201323 Oct 2013

Publication series

Name2013 IEEE International Conference on Microwaves, Communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems, COMCAS 2013

Conference

Conference2013 IEEE International Conference on Microwaves, Communications, Antennas and Electronic Systems, COMCAS 2013
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityTel Aviv
Period21/10/1323/10/13

Keywords

  • Glow Discharge Detector (GDD)
  • Heterodyne
  • Millimeter wave detector
  • Millimeter wave radiation
  • Plasma
  • Polarization
  • quasi-optical design

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