Effect of carrier-carrier collisions on RF performance of millimeter-wave IMPATT sources

This paper presents theoretical calculations of the large-signal admittance and efficiency achievable in a silicon p-n-v-ns Read IMPATT diode. A simplified theory is employed to obtain a starting design. This design is then modified to achieve higher efficiency operation as specific device limitations are reached in large-signal (computer) operation. Self-consistent numerical solutions are obtained for equations describing carrier transport, carrier generation, and space-charge balance. The solutions describe the evolution in time of the diode and its associated resonant circuit. Detailed solutions are presented of the hole and electron concentrations, electric field, and terminal current and voltage at various points in time during a cycle of oscillation. Large-signal values of the diode's negative conductance, susceptance, average voltage, and power-generating efficiency are presented as a function of oscillation amplitude for a fixed average current density. For the structure studied, the largest microwave power-generating efficiency (18 percent at 9.6 GHz) has been obtained at a current density of 200 A/cm2, but efficiencies near 10 percent were obtained over a range of current density from 100 to 1000 A/cm2.

Large-signal analysis of a silicon Read diode oscillator

This paper summarizes the current state of the art of silicon CW millimeter-wave IMPATT diodes and oscillators in the frequency range from 30 to 250 GHz. Design procedures, fabrication, and packaging technology are reviewed, and the current performance of diode oscillators is reported. A brief account of present device reliability is also presented. The contrast between maturing device technology below 100 GHz and largely laboratory-based technology at higher frequencies is discussed. Finally, a prognosis of future developments is offered.

Millimeter-Wave CW IMPATT Diodes and Oscillators

Silicon flat profile double drift (DD) and double Read (DLHL) IMPATT diodes have been designed and fabricated, using a novel beamlead process. The goal for the design of the active layer is a maximum negative resistance of the device for a given DC power density. Experimental results are 225 mW of RF power with DD diodes and 300 mW for DLHL diodes, both in the 140 GHz range.

D-band Si-IMPATT diodes with 300 mW CW output power at 140 GHz

The authors have carried out the large-signal characterization of silicon-based double-drift region (DDR) impact avalanche transit time (IMPATT) devices designed to operate up to 0.5 THz using a large-signal simulation method developed by the authors based on non-sinusoidal voltage excitation. The effect of band-to-band tunneling as well as parasitic series resistance on the large-signal properties of DDR Si IMPATTs have also been studied at different mm-wave and THz frequencies. Large-signal simulation results show that DDR Si IMPATT is capable of delivering peak RF power of 633.69 mW with 7.95% conversion efficiency at 94 GHz for 50% voltage modulation, whereas peak RF power output and efficiency fall to 81.08 mW and 2.01% respectively at 0.5 THz for same voltage modulation. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results and are found to be in close agreement.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1674-4926/34/10/104003/pdf

Effect of carrier-carrier collisions on RF performance of millimeter-wave IMPATT sources

References

Large-signal analysis of a silicon Read diode oscillator

Millimeter-Wave CW IMPATT Diodes and Oscillators

D-band Si-IMPATT diodes with 300 mW CW output power at 140 GHz

Large-signal characterization of DDR silicon IMPATTs operating in millimeter-wave and terahertz regime

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