Patent · US Expired

Low noise read-type diode

US4060820A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 5, 1976
Grant dateNov 29, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 5, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D62/60

Abstract

A Read-type avalanche diode having a low noise measure and capable of attaining output signal powers of one watt or more. An effective injection current is defined as the conduction current in the avalanche zone in the absence of avalanche multiplication including therein any tunneling current. The noise measure of the diode is minimized by increasing the defined effective injection current with disclosed techniques. In one embodiment, the effective injection current is increased by the presence of traps located in the avalanche region. In another embodiment, a Schottky barrier contact having a low work function is provided. Surface states of the avalanche region are also varied to produce the desired increase. Increased effective injection current may also be produced in a device with preferred heat flow properties. The noise performance of both oscillator and amplifier circuits is improved with the invention.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.