MEASUREMENT AND MODELING OF RADIATIVE COUPLING IN OSCILLATOR ARRAYS

Arrays of coupled oscillators can be used for power-combining at micro wave and millimeter-wave frequencies, and have been successfully demon strated with a variety of devices. Such arrays have also recently been mode-locked for pulse generation, and can be configured for phase-shi fterless beam-scanning. The nonlinear theory of coupled-oscillator pha se dynamics depends crucially on the parameters describing the couplin g between oscillators. Methods for experimental characterization of th ese parameters are described here, and simple models are developed whi ch reproduce the measurements quite well. The models apply to radiativ e coupling and the effects of external reflectors which are sometimes used for stabilization. The theory is verified with a two-oscillator s ystem.