Microwave detection using the resonant tunneling diode

An experimental and theoretical study in the use of a resonant tunneling diode (RTD) as a microwave detector, based on its small-signal equivalent circuit model, is presented. It is shown that the rectified current from the diode can be accurately predicted and that the diode can be operated as a reactive microwave detector which absorbs no microwave power. For this detection mode, a matching network which maximizes the applied AC voltage can be used