A back-to-back horn-antenna quasi-optical amplifier

Abstract

A quasi-optical amplifier suitable for Gaussian-beam applications is presented. The amplifier is based on the integrated horn antenna and uses polarization duplexing to isolate the output beam from the input beam. A prototype hybrid amplifier with a measured gain of 10.6 dB at 6 GHz is reported. The amplifier design is uniplanar and compact, and is compatible with the fabrication process of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) at millimeter-wave frequencies. The design is single-moded and therefore can be used in existing mm-wave systems as a low-noise amplifier stage before the RF mixer or as an amplifier stage in the transmitting circuit.<>