Characterization of 3.4-4.7 THz Schottky Diode Mixers
Paper in proceeding, 2026
The performance of Schottky-diode mixers operating above 3THz are explored. First, two mixers are characterized at 3.5 THz and 4.7 THz. Fundamental mixer measurements at 3.5THz achieve an uncorrected receiver temperature of 50,000 K. The responsivities drop from 25 V/W at 3.5 THz to less than 5 V/W at 4.7 THz. To understand this dramatic roll-off across the WM57 waveguide band, a simulation model is developed that applies the Drude model for the conductivity of the epitaxial layers of the diode. Incorporating these parameters directly into the finite element simulation of the diode agrees better with these measured results than the classical lumped element model.
Quantum cascade lasers
Mixers
Schottky barrier Diodes
Author
Theodore Reck
WiTECH
Virginia Diodes, Inc.
Nick Rothbart
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Divya Jayasankar
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Laboratory
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
WiTECH
Jeffrey Hesler
WiTECH
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Laboratory
Virginia Diodes, Inc.
Jan Stake
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Laboratory
WiTECH
Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
2025 50th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz)
2162-2027 (ISSN) 2162-2035 (eISSN)
979-8-3503-7883-2 (ISBN)
50th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz)
Helsinki, Finland,
Helsinki, Finland,
Supra-THz semiconductor electronics for space-borne Earth observations
Swedish National Space Board (2023-00310), 2024-01-01 -- 2027-12-31.
Development of the national infrastructure for microwave and terahertz characterization: expanding the use of the electromagnetic spectrum
Swedish Research Council (VR) (2020-06187), 2021-01-01 -- 2024-12-31.
Areas of Advance
Information and Communication Technology
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Infrastructure
Kollberg Laboratory
Myfab (incl. Nanofabrication Laboratory)
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering
DOI
10.1109/IRMMW-THz61557.2025.11320125