Dc bias dependence of W-Ni and W-Co point-contact diodes as harmonic generators and mixers at 9.4 μm

Abstract

The S/N ratios of the rf beat notes between harmonics of an x-band microwave source and the mixed output of two CO2 lasers at different frequencies are studied by means of the W-Ni and W-Co point-contact diodes at various mixing orders and various conditions of dc bias voltage. By applying the appropriate dc bias voltage to the W-Co diode in the even mixing orders, improvements on the S/N ratios by 5–10 dB are obtained.