Microwave Si avalanche diode with nearly-abrupt-type junction

Microwave Si avalanche diodes with a nearly-abupt-type junction have been made. The maximum output power so far obtained in CW operation is 1.1 watts at 12 GHz with an efficiency of 7.7 percent. The maximum efficiency observed is 8.0 percent. The improved performance over the previously reported structure, for which the best result was 250 mW at 12 GHz with an efficiency of 2.8 percent results from a reduction in length of the avalanche region in the abrupt junction. In the previously reported diode the efficiency is still sharply increasing at the burnout point, while in the present diode the efficiency is nearly saturated at the burn-out point. The advantages and disadvantages of using different polarity of the diode (p on n or n on p) and different material (Ge) are given. Small-signal theory was used to analyze device operation.