Detector and Mixer Technology for Millimeter Waves

Abstract

During the past years, a great deal of work has gone into developing low noise mixers and detectors for millimeter and submillimeter waves [1 - 9]. This paper is not intended to provide a comprehensive review of millimeter detector and mixer technology but rather is intended to point out some research areas of current interest. In the following paragraphs, a few comments on the status of Schottky-barrier diodes are made, including recent data [10] on a beam leaded configuration utilized in hybrid integrated circuits. Efforts to increase the burnout capacity of Schottky-barrier diodes and to use of other types of diodes such as TUNNETT and BARITT diodes as high burnout mixers are described. This discussion is followed by consideration of detectors and mixers which operate at cryogenic temperatures - devices based on Josephson and quasi-particle tunneling (SIS) junctions, super-Schottky-barriers and hot electron effects. Some work underway on cryogenic refrigeration is described also.