Millimetre and sub-mm wavelength radiation sources based on discrete Josephson junction arrays

This paper reviews the present status and future perspectives of discrete J osephson junction arrays for applications as sub-mm wavelength radiation so urces. It is intended to cover the whole field, i.e. theory, fabrication an d experimental results. The theoretical part reviews the fundamental aspect s of Josephson junctions for oscillator applications and introduces the dif ferent possible array types. The recent results of analytical as well as nu merical investigations are discussed. After the description of the fabricat ion of both low-T-c as well as high-T-c superconductor Josephson junctions and arrays, methods to investigate the array dynamics experimentally are me ntioned. Finally, the recent experimental results are reviewed. This topic is divided into two parts, the first dealing with low-T-c arrays, the secon d with high-T-c arrays. The different possibilities to design arrays and to include them in practical applications are discussed and compared, with sp ecial emphasis on those experiments where radiation was generated successfu lly. The article is completed with a discussion of the most important exper imental results.