THz generation in a DC diode with base resistor

Abstract

We have recently discovered a novel mechanism for generating oscillating current at THz frequency in a DC vacuum microdiode with a series resistor. We performed simulations of field emission in a planar microdiode with an appreciable resistor and observed the emergence of regular oscillations in the diode current due to loading of the resistor modulating the surface electric field and subsequently the emission [1]. Here we extend our previous work to examine how field enhancement at the cathode surface affects the operating parameters. It is shown that using field emitter arrays the voltage can be reduced significantly while maintaining a robust diode current oscillating in the THz frequency range. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show how the configuration of the field emitter array, in the context of other diode parameters, affects the performance of the oscillator.