Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experiments with point-contact diodes in the 30–130 THz frequency region

  • Contributed Papers
  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A number of different point-contact diodes were made by mechanically contacting various metals, semimetals and semiconductors with different metallic whiskers. The diodes have been tested as frequency mixers and harmonic generators using CO2 and CO lasers. The results suggest that two mechanisms, electron tunnelling through a potential barrier and another slower process are responsible for the operation of the diodes. Some of the new devices are electrically and mechanically more stable than the commonly used tungsten-nickel diode and show better responsivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C.C. Bradley, G.J. Edwards, D.J.E. Knight: Radio Electron. Eng.42, 321 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  2. K.M. Evenson, D.A. Jennings, F.R. Petersen, J.S. Wells: InLaser Spectroscopy III, ed. by J.L. Hall, J.L. Carlsten: Springer Ser. Opt. Sci.7 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 1977) p. 56

    Google Scholar 

  3. B.G. Whitford: Trans. Instrum. Meas. IM-23, 168 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  4. D.A. Jennings, F.R. Petersen, K.M. Evenson: Opt. Lett.4, 129 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  5. R.I. Harrison, J. Zucker: Proc. IEEE54, 588 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  6. L.W. Aukerman, J.W. Erler: Opt. Lett.1, 178 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  7. P.E. Tannenwald, H.R. Fetterman, C. Freed, C.D. Parker, B.J. Clifton, R.G. O'Donnel: Opt. Lett.6, 481 (1081)

    Google Scholar 

  8. C.B. Duke:Tunneling in Solids (Academic Press, New York 1969)

    Google Scholar 

  9. H.D. Riccius: Appl. Phys.17, 49 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Krishna Rajan: NRC, National Aearonautical Establishment (unpublished)

  11. M. Heiblum, S. Wang, J.R. Whinnery, T.K. Gustafson: IEEE QE-14, 159 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  12. R. Young, J. Ward, F. Scire: Phys. Rev. Lett.27, 922 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  13. G. Binnig, H. Rohrer, Ch. Gerber, E. Weibel: Appl. Phys. Lett.40, 178 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  14. N. Kawai, S. Mochizuki: Solid State Commun9, 1393 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  15. K.C. Liu, C. Davis, Jr., A. Javan: Phys. Rev. Lett.43, 758 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  16. W.W. Webb, J.T. Norton, C. Wagner: J. Electrochem. Soc.103, 107 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  17. J.R. Dahn: NRC, Division of Chemistry (unpublished)

  18. C.B. Satterthwaite, R.W. Uire: Phys. Rev.108, 164 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  19. B.G. Whitford: IEEE J. QE-18, 428 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Che-Yu Li, A.L. Ruoff, C.W. Spencer: J. Appl. Phys.32, 1733 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  21. H.D. Riccius, K.J. Siemsen: Appl. Phys. A35, 67 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  22. K.M. Evenson, D.A. Jennings, F.R. Petersen: Appl. Phys. Lett.44, 576 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council of Canada, K1A 0R6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    K. J. Siemsen & H. D. Riccius

Authors
  1. K. J. Siemsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. D. Riccius
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Siemsen, K.J., Riccius, H.D. Experiments with point-contact diodes in the 30–130 THz frequency region. Appl. Phys. A 35, 177–187 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00616972

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00616972

PACS

Search

Navigation