An Analysis of Finite Rise and Fall Time Current Excitation of TRAPATT Diodes

Abstract

It is shown that the square wave current excitation requires negative impedance terminations above the 5th harmonic. Since the harmonic amplitudes in a square wave decrease only as 1/n, harmonics as high as the 9th and 11th must be properly terminated to make the analysis realistic and to prevent premature avalanche. We have analyzed the TRAPATT operation using the same physical approximations for plasma formation and recovery as used in the previous square wave analyses. However, we have assumed a trapezoidal current waveform which contains primarily first and third harmonics with negligibly small higher harmonics. In this analysis the avalanche zone transit and portions of the plasma extraction process occur while the current is changing. The resulting device voltage is calculated as a continuous analytical function of time except during the plasma formation interval and the final saturated velocity phase of the plasma extraction interval, where an interpolated voltage waveform is obtained. Fourier analysis of the voltage waveform provides the device efficiency as well as the necessary circuit termination at the 1st and 3rd harmonics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 07, 1971
Accession Number
AD0717720

Entities

People

  • Jerry D. Welch
  • Thomas G. Bryant

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude
  • Current Density
  • Diodes
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Mobility
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Multiplication Factor
  • Oscillators
  • Square Waves
  • Time Intervals
  • Trailing Edges
  • Trapatt Diodes
  • Waveforms
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Plasma Physics.