Experimental investigation of TRAPATT triggering conditions

The relationship between VHF bias circuit oscillations, IMPATT oscillations, and the conditions required of the bias circuit and bias pulse to trigger the TRAPATT diode into operation are examined. Observations of triggering in n(+)pp(+) diodes indicate that the bias circuit and pulse shape are instrumental in triggering the diodes into oscillation. With a constant microwave circuit the diode can be triggered by either VHF or IMPATT oscillations. The IMPATT triggering time is about 25-50 nsec from the bias pulse peak, compared with the VHF triggering time of about 5 nsec.