CW operation of 94GHz Gyro-TWA for telecommunications applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
This proposal will develop the world's highest power (kW), broadest instantaneous bandwidth, frequency agile amplifiers operating in the mm-wave/terahertz range. The gyro-amplifiers offers a unique opportunity to fill a long standing gap in the generation of high power coherent millimetre and sub millimetre wave radiation with its promise of amplification with an unprecedented 20% instantaneous bandwidth and an unrivalled power of 5kW at 94 GHz. Building on the recent success of "W He et al PRL 2013, 110, art 165101, 2013", the mm/sub-mm wave gyro-TWA will enable a paradigm shift in what is achievable for a ground based, cellular telecommunications network by providing tera-bit data rates. This is possible due to the fact that the wireless gyro-TWA operating at sub-THz frequencies does not need to use opto-electronic components currently limiting data rates of optical schemes.
Another major area of development is the possibility of exploiting the world leading gyro-TWA to be used in Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation (DNP) spectroscopy which is currently hampered by the lack of high power sources and especially broadband amplifiers of terahertz radiation.
In addition the gyro-TWA would be an ideal source for cloud profiling radar and the detection of atmospheric pollutants because the atmospheric absorption, penetration and scattering losses, practical stand-off systems require considerable power, typically hundreds of watts. Other applications include high frequency long range security imaging, space situational awareness (detecting space debris), terrain mapping (volcano monitoring), radar and long range, high bandwidth, line of sight communications and real time video-rate detection of hidden explosives and illegal drugs.
Another major area of development is the possibility of exploiting the world leading gyro-TWA to be used in Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation (DNP) spectroscopy which is currently hampered by the lack of high power sources and especially broadband amplifiers of terahertz radiation.
In addition the gyro-TWA would be an ideal source for cloud profiling radar and the detection of atmospheric pollutants because the atmospheric absorption, penetration and scattering losses, practical stand-off systems require considerable power, typically hundreds of watts. Other applications include high frequency long range security imaging, space situational awareness (detecting space debris), terrain mapping (volcano monitoring), radar and long range, high bandwidth, line of sight communications and real time video-rate detection of hidden explosives and illegal drugs.
Publications

Donaldson C
(2018)
CNC Machined Helically Corrugated Interaction Region for a THz Gyrotron Traveling Wave Amplifier
in IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology

Donaldson C
(2017)
Performance measurements of mode-converting corrugated horns



He W
(2017)
Broadband Amplification of Low-Terahertz Signals Using Axis-Encircling Electrons in a Helically Corrugated Interaction Region.
in Physical review letters

Li X
(2017)
Investigation of Frequency-Selective Surfaces for a THz Gyromultiplier Output System
in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices

McElhinney P
(2017)
An Output Coupler for a W-Band High Power Wideband Gyroamplifier
in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices

Shu G
(2018)
Experimental demonstration of a terahertz extended interaction oscillator driven by a pseudospark-sourced sheet electron beam
in Applied Physics Letters

Shu G
(2018)
Demonstration of a Planar ${ {W}}$ -Band, kW-Level Extended Interaction Oscillator Based on a Pseudospark-Sourced Sheet Electron Beam
in IEEE Electron Device Letters
Description | DC power supply to drive W-band gyrotron travelling wave amplifier for satellite uplink and wireless communication applications (://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FT003227%2F1) |
Amount | £141,042 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/T003227/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2019 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | High power, wideband millimetre wave source for space object identification (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/winners-of-space-to-innovate-competition-announced/winners-of-space-to-innovate-competition) |
Amount | £198,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Pi Dr. Colin G. Whyte |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 08/2020 |
Description | Terahertz High-Harmonic Gyrotron Oscillator By Using Metasurface Cylindrical Cavity |
Amount | £111,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NAF\R1\180121 - Newton Advanced Fellowships 2018 Round 1 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 02/2021 |
Title | Data for: "Amplification of Frequency-Swept Signals in a W-Band Gyrotron Travelling Wave Amplifier" |
Description | This dataset contains the experimental measurement data published on paper "Amplification of Frequency-Swept Signals in a W-Band Gyrotron Travelling Wave Amplifier", which is partially supported by EPSRC. The data files are recorded by using Keysight VSA software 89600, which can be downloaded from https://www.keysight.com/zz/en/software/application-sw/89600-vsa-software.html. The data files recorded the beam voltage signals as well as the microwave signals when the gyro-TWA was driven by a CW signal and a chirp signal. Data embargo until 01/01/19 due to commercial constraints |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Title | W-band gyro-TWA |
Description | This dataset contain files in OPJ formats which can be opened by data processing software ORIGIN, and WFM file format. It is created by Tektronic oscilloscope and it can be open by WAVESTAR FOR OSCILLOSCOPES. This data is for paper "Broadband Amplification of Low-Terahertz Signals Using Axis-Encircling Electrons in a Helically Corrugated Interaction Region" that been published in Physical review letter. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Description | National Vacuum Electronics Conference (NVEC) 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Results from the sheet electron beam pseudospark project was presented at the National Vacuum Electronics Conference 2019 held in the Technology and innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde on the 13th of November 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://pure.strath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/92114990/Agenda3.pdf |
Description | Talk at Microwave Technology and Techniques Workshop at the European Space Agency, Noordwijk, The Netherlands |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Present an overview of the performance of the 3.4kW, 91GHz to 96GHz Gyro-TWA to satellite experts to show the unique performance of the gyro-TWA for Space Object Identification radar. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://atpi.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/19a05---mtt-2019/home/ExtraContent/ContentSubPage... |