Work

A Room-Temperature 20 GHz Sapphire-Loaded Cavity Oscillator Exploiting Pound–Galani Stabilization for Maximized Phase Noise Performance

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High-stability reference oscillators are essential for precision microwave applications, including radar systems and radio astronomy. This article presents an expanded analysis of a 20 GHz sapphire-loaded cavity oscillator (SLCO) with Pound–Galani stabilization. The enhanced research study delves into the whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator characteristics. Experimental results validate the oscillator’s near-carrier stability, showing a phase noise of −96.5 dBcHz−1at 1 kHz offset frequency with a loaded quality factor exceeding 85 000. This work provides deeper insights into the design trade-offs and performance enhancements necessary for ultralow-phase-noise oscillators, making SLCOs viable for next-generation precision microwave systems at room temperature.

Source: IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques

DOI: 10.1109/tmtt.2025.3611693

Authors: Lion Kensbock, Lukas Polzin, Robin Kaesbach, Thomas Musch, Marcel van Delden

Institution: Ruhr University Bochum

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Frequency and Time Standards

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,645

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft