Slot Lens Antenna Based on Thin Nb Films for the Wideband Josephson Terahertz Oscillator

Abstract

Abstract—An oscillator based on the distributed tunnel superconductor-insulator-superconductor junction with an ultrawide operating bandwidth of up to 100% of the central frequency seems to be a promising type of directional source of continuous electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz frequency range. In this paper, we propose a scheme of a terahertz oscillator integrated on a single microchip with a transmitting lens antenna with the slot structure in a 200-nm Nb film to radiate the signal into the open space. We also proposed and numerically simulated several designs of a planar slot antenna matched (in the input) with a Josephson oscillator and (in the output) with a silicon elliptical lens. The obtained results of the matching of the oscillator output power with the antenna of various designs operating in four frequency ranges: 250–410, 330–570, 380–520, and 420–700 GHz are presented. The antenna beam patterns and impedances are calculated as well.