Continuous oscillations at millimeter wavelengths with silicon avalanche diodes

CW operation of an abrupt-junction p-n silicon avalanche diode has produced 370 mW at 36.5 GHz with 6 percent efficiency. Another unit produced 320 mW at 39 GHz with 7 percent efficiency. Higher efficiency with present diodes requires power densities exceeding 3 × 10⁵W/cm².