| This thesis describes a new optoelectronic device called a photoconducting antenna array, which generates electrically controllable millimeter-wave and sub-millimeter wave radiation in free space. Given an appropriate laser source, the array can be used as a beamsteering device at near terahertz frequencies. Under quasi-sinusoidal optical illumination, the beam emitted by the array is directional and electrically steerable, and can be scanned through an angle of over 40 degrees. The steering property of the array will be experimentally demonstrated and compared with theoretical predictions. Also, some properties of the array under illumination by a short optical pulse will be demonstrated. These include electrical control of the frequency content of the signal and mapping of the spatial profile of the applied electric field onto the radiated waveform. The latter property can be used to multiplex information presented in parallel into a train of radiated pulses with a bit spacing of six picoseconds. Finally, practical considerations regarding the continued development of the array and future applications will be discussed. |
