Electronic Frequency-Comb Detector

An electronic frequency-comb detector, comprising:

• a frequency-comb generator with an output, the frequency-comb generator having a plurality of inverter stages;
• an NFET having its gate connected to the output of the frequency-comb generator;
• and
• an IF amplifier having a plurality of amplifier stages,
• wherein the frequency-comb generator, the NFET and the IF amplifier, in combination, are configured to downconvert a received radio frequency signal into an IF signal and amplify the IF signal.

A method of electronic frequency-comb spectroscopy, the method comprising:

• radiating electromagnetic waves in a direction of a material under test (MUT), wherein the MUT transmits a portion of the electromagnetic waves;
• generating a reference signal using a frequency-comb generator;
• receiving the portion of the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the MUT by an on-chip antenna;
• mixing the portion of the electromagnetic waves received by the on-chip antenna and the reference signal using a mixer to generate an IF signal;
• amplifying the IF signal using an amplifier to produce an amplified IF signal;
• feeding the amplified IF signal to a spectrum analyzer;
• and
• detecting a signature of the MUT using the spectrum analyzer.