New PBG nonlinear distributed structures: application to the optimization of millimeter wave frequency multipliers

Abstract

Transmission lines periodically loaded with varactor diodes have been recently proposed as potential candidates for the generation of millimeter and submillimeter waves by frequency multiplication from microwave sources. In this work, we propose the combination of these distributed structures with photonic bandgaps (PBGs) to improve conversion efficiency to the desired harmonic. Harmonic balance simulations of a PBG-CPW quintupler designed to provide output power at 100 GHz are indicative of significant improvement in conversion efficiency as compared to the structure with PBG removed.