Recent efforts on planar components for active quasi-optical applications

Several novel quasi-optical sources and receiving mixers using both diodes and FETs have been developed and are discussed in the framework of isotropic conversion loss or gain, quantities that were developed to measure the unique properties of these components. The devices covered are periodic-structure quasioptical components, namely, a periodic patch oscillator and coupled rampart line oscillators; components using slots, namely, quasi-optical frequency multipliers, a planar slot oscillator using a resonant tunneling diode, and coupled-slot receivers; and a simple microstrip ring transceiver. Some performance criteria that are unique to quasioptical components are defined.<>