Optically controlled lateral PIN diodes and microwave control circuits
Abstract
The fabrication, testing and application of lateral PIN diodes in optically controlled microwave circuits are summarized. Complete static parameterization under various optical conditions is described. The diodes have breakdown voltages of up to 200 V, capacitances as low as 0.1 pF, and an increase in capacitance of over thirty times when illuminated with a semiconductor laser diode. Optically excited microwave control circuits incorporating these diodes are described. Using optical power to directly modulate the controlling PIN diodes, successfully demonstrated an optically controlled microwave attenuator and switch (insertion loss as low as 1.4 dB), and an optically controlled microwave phase shifter (110 and 120 degrees over an octave bandwidth) were demonstrated. Turn-on and turn-off times of the switch are measured to be less than 50 ps and 2 ns respectively.
- Publication:
-
RCA Review
- Pub Date:
- December 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986RCARv..47..443S
- Keywords:
-
- Control Equipment;
- Fiber Optics;
- Junction Diodes;
- Microwave Circuits;
- P-I-N Junctions;
- Attenuators;
- Fabrication;
- Microwave Attenuation;
- Performance Tests;
- Phase Shift Circuits;
- Semiconductor Diodes;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering