A coherent mechanical submillimeter frequency shifter

Highly correlated transmit and local oscillator signals for use in a narrowband heterodyne system are derived from a single submillimeter source. One component is Doppler shifted in frequency by a mechanically rotating device before transmission. The frequency translation does not lead to significant spectral deterioration. Under the condition of only a small differential delay between transmit and local oscillator paths, most phase and frequency instabilities of the submillimeter source are eliminated at the intermediate frequency. The paper describes the frequency shifter's mode of operation and a practical 637GHz design. Based on this design we simulate the effect of various imperfections in the frequency translation process on the output spectrum. Preliminary measurements at 140GHz are included.