Diamond-based sub millimeter backward wave oscillator

Summary form only given. The diamond-based backward wave oscillator (BWO) provides a miniature, energy efficient, electronically tunable and mass producible signal source in the sub-mm wavelength regime. Fabricated within a shell of chemically vapor deposited (CVD) diamond for mechanical and thermal robustness, the BWO employs a novel biplanar interdigital slow wave circuit. The electron source for the BWO is a Spindt type field emission cathode. The device has been modeled extensively, and preliminary designs of the slow wave circuit, electron gun and collector for operation at 300 and 600 GHz have been completed. Fabrication of the 300 GHz device is in progress.