Millimeter-wave Gunn oscillator in series operation

The feasibility of series operation of a Gunn-diode oscillator in a millimeter-wave range is demonstrated. Oscillator output power and its dc-to-RF conversion efficiency can both be increased substantially by operating two Gunn diodes in series. Output power from two diodes in series operation is higher than twice the output power obtained from one individual diode. We report that the pulsed output power from two GaAs Gunn diodes in series operation reaches 4.4 W at a frequency of 33.2 GHz.