Low-Noise Microwave Resonator-Oscillators: Current Status and Future Developments

This contribution is devoted to principles of operation and design of low noise electromagnetic oscillators. We begin this chapter by introducing the concept of oscillator frequency stability and discussing both time and frequency domain ap- proaches to its characterisation. We review most common experimental techniques used for improving the oscillator frequency stability. A particular attention is paid to applications of microwave circuit interferometry to precision measurements of os- cillator frequency fluctuations. Finally, we analyse the future trends in the design of low noise microwave oscillators. This includes (i) interferometric suppression of os- cillator power fluctuations and (ii) reduction of the oscillator frequency-temperature dependence by making use of an anisotropy of sapphire dielectric resonators.

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