📝 SummarXiv

Abstract

We present a systematic far-field characterization of four commercial PIN diode terahertz photomixers over the 0.2-1.5 THz frequency range using a two-dimensional (2D) raster scanning method. The emission pattern of each transmitter, equipped with an integrated hyper-hemispherical silicon lens, was characterized using a broadband Schottky diode receiver over a 35 mm x 35 mm grid grid. The results reveal consistent frequency-dependent beam divergence and the emergence of distinct Airy diffraction patterns at intermediate frequencies, attributed to lens-induced aperture effects. In addition to qualitative mapping, we extract quantitative metrics -- including divergence slope, beam asymmetry, ellipticity, and centroid variability -- that enable objective comparison of beam profiles across devices and frequencies. This comprehensive mapping underscores the importance of full 2D beam profiling for understanding THz propagation and offers insights into lens design and photomixer packaging for optimized system performance.