Computer Calculations of PIN Diode Limiter Characteristics.
Abstract
Characteristics of microwave limiters, especially those of spike leakage and burnout, although little understood, are of great importance to the high-power microwave community. The Harry Diamond Laboratories computer program DIODE has been used to simulate limiter action. This is the first time the basic physical mechanisms of a limiter diode have been studied by a computer program. Simulations have included silicon PIN diode widths of from 0.5 to 10 um, applied frequencies of 200 MHz to 50 GHz, and applied powers of 0.5 to 800 W. Illustrative carrier concentrations and electric fields are given as a function of distance across the diode and as a function of time, and diode and limiter output powers are given as a function of time. There is a frequency range where the limiter output power increases approximately linearly with frequency, which is the dependence predicted by linear theory. Avalanche breakdown during the reverse half-cycle is calculated for high-input powers. Limiter characteristics are shown to be strongly dependent upon diode temperature. Keywords Include: Computer calculations, limiter characteristics, silicon, forward bias, reverse switching, recombination lifetime, PIN diode and microwaves.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA185563
Entities
People
- Alford L. Ward
Organizations
- Harry Diamond Laboratories