Architecture and Component Characterization of a High-Resolution Free-Space Vector Network Analyzer for the Terahertz Range

The design of a free-space vector network analyzer (FS-VNA) to extract the electrical properties of materials for frequencies up to 2.7 THz is presented. It is based on 1.55 μm laser-driven photomixers, that serve as terahertz signal generators and coherent receivers. We describe the system architecture and the component performance supported by preliminary results.