Abstract: A coupler for coupling electromagnetic radiation into a cavity, including a metal layer having a reflective surface and forming a ground plane; and one or more waveguides for gigahertz or terahertz electromagnetic radiation embedded in the metal layer. The waveguides each include two openings in the metal layer exposing a dielectric underneath; and a section of the metal layer between the two openings. A plurality of holes in the metal layer are disposed along a perimeter of the openings so as to shape the electric field of the electromagnetic radiation in a cavity coupled to the coupler.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a high-speed frequency doubler circuit. During operation, the circuit uses a transformer-based balun to convert a single-ended input signal into a differential signal, wherein the transformer-based balun includes a transformer with a primary coil, which receives the single-ended input signal, and a secondary coil, which produces the differential signal. The transformer also includes a central compensation capacitor coupled between a center tap of the secondary coil and ground, wherein the central compensation capacitor acts to suppress common-mode components in the differential signal. Next, the circuit uses a pseudo-differential amplifier to convert the differential signal into a single-ended output signal, which has double the frequency of the single-ended input signal.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling electromagnetic radiation into a cavity, including a metal layer having a reflective surface and forming a ground plane; and one or more waveguides for gigahertz or terahertz electromagnetic radiation embedded in the metal layer. The waveguides each include two openings in the metal layer exposing a dielectric underneath; and a section of the metal layer between the two openings. A plurality of holes in the metal layer are disposed along a perimeter of the openings so as to shape the electric field of the electromagnetic radiation in a cavity coupled to the coupler.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a high-speed frequency doubler circuit. During operation, the circuit uses a transformer-based balun to convert a single-ended input signal into a differential signal, wherein the transformer-based balun includes a transformer with a primary coil, which receives the single-ended input signal, and a secondary coil, which produces the differential signal. The transformer also includes a central compensation capacitor coupled between a center tap of the secondary coil and ground, wherein the central compensation capacitor acts to suppress common-mode components in the differential signal. Next, the circuit uses a pseudo-differential amplifier to convert the differential signal into a single-ended output signal, which has double the frequency of the single-ended input signal.

Abstract: A switch comprising a plurality of inductors and a plurality of shunt transistors is described. Each inductor can be electrically coupled between adjacent shunt transistors to form a distributed switch structure. At least two inductors in the plurality of inductors can be inductively coupled with each other. The plurality of inductors can correspond to portions of a coupling inductor, wherein the coupling inductor can have an irregular octagonal shape.

Abstract: A switch comprising a plurality of inductors and a plurality of shunt transistors is described. Each inductor can be electrically coupled between adjacent shunt transistors to form a distributed switch structure. At least two inductors in the plurality of inductors can be inductively coupled with each other. The plurality of inductors can correspond to portions of a coupling inductor, wherein the coupling inductor can have an irregular octagonal shape.