Oscillators using carbon nanotubes
An oscillator outputs a stable oscillation. The oscillator includes an amplifier, a carbon nanotube (CNT), and a power supply. The CNT extends along a resonance axis. A first end of the CNT is disposed along the resonance axis such that the first end is open. A second end of the CNT is disposed along the resonance axis and be operably coupled to the amplifier. The CNT generates a stable oscillation in response to a voltage. The amplifier includes a super-lattice castellated field effect transistor (SLCFET). The power supply applies the voltage to the oscillator.
1 . An oscillator configured to output a stable oscillation, the oscillator comprising:
a super-lattice castellated field effect transistor (SLCFET) comprising a drain;
a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) extending along a resonance axis, a first end of the SWCNT along the resonance axis being open, a second end of the SWCNT along the resonance axis operably coupled to the drain of the SLCFET; and
a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the oscillator to generate the stable oscillation.
2 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein in response to an increase in the voltage at the SLCFET, a current within the SWCNT is increased.
3 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein in response to a change in the voltage at the SLCFET, negative resistance is achieved.
4 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein the oscillator is configured to generate a stable resonance having frequencies greater than 10 GHz.
5 . The oscillator of claim 1 , further comprising a bandpass filter configured to remove oscillations having a frequency smaller than 10 GHz.
6 . The oscillator of claim 1 , further comprising a phase matcher coupled between the SLCFET and the SWCNT, the phase matcher configured to modify a phase of waves passing from the SLCFET to the SWCNT.
7 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein a length of the SWCNT is configured to generate standing waves within the SWCNT.
8 . The oscillator of claim 7 , wherein the length of the SWCNT is less than 1 micron.
9 . The oscillator of claim 1 , further comprising a variable attenuator configured to modify a voltage applied to the oscillator.
10 . An oscillator configured to output a stable oscillation, the oscillator comprising:
an amplifier;
a carbon nanotube (CNT) extending along a resonance axis, a first end of the CNT along the resonance axis being open, a second end of the CNT along the resonance axis operably coupled to the amplifier, the CNT configured to generate a stable oscillation in response to a voltage; and
a power supply configured to apply the voltage to the oscillator.
11 . The oscillator of claim 10 , wherein the CNT comprises a single-walled CNT (SWCNT).
12 . The oscillator of claim 10 , wherein the amplifier comprises a field-effect transistor (FET).
13 . The oscillator of claim 10 , wherein in response to an increase in the voltage at the amplifier, a current through the CNT is increased.
14 . The oscillator of claim 10 , wherein in response to a change in the voltage at the amplifier, negative resistance is achieved.
15 . The oscillator of claim 10 , wherein the oscillator is configured to generate stable oscillations having frequencies greater than about 50 GHz.
16 . The oscillator of claim 10 , further comprising a bandpass filter configured to remove oscillations having a frequency smaller than 10 GHz.
17 . The oscillator of claim 10 , further comprising a phase matcher coupled between the amplifier and the CNT, the phase matcher configured to modify a phase of waves passing from the amplifier to the CNT.
18 . The oscillator of claim 10 , wherein a length of the CNT is configured to generate standing waves within the CNT.
19 . The oscillator of claim 18 , wherein the length of the CNT is less than 1 micron.
20 . The oscillator of claim 10 , further comprising a variable attenuator configured to modify the voltage applied to the oscillator.