PARAMETRIC OSCILLATION IN NONLINEAR DIPOLE ARRAYS

An experimental investigation of large nonlinear dipole arrays is pres ented, using a diode-loaded dipole placed between two parallel conduct ing plates. Using this topology we were able to demonstrate enhanced c onversion efficiency into the second harmonic and obtain spontaneous p arametric oscillation for certain array geometries. Parametric oscilla tion was achieved by strongly driving the antenna at a single pump fre quency and adjusting the cavity length for resonance at a subharmonic. A pump threshold for parametric down-conversion was observed, below w hich no sub-harmonics were produced. These results suggest using quasi -optical techniques for frequency multiplication and parametric up-con version or amplification.