Characteristics of metal-insulator-metal point-contact diodes used for two-laser mixing and direct frequency measurements

The frequency response characteristics of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes used for direct-frequency measurements in the submillimeter and infrared spectral region have been determined and it is found that these may be described by a simple model based on aerial impedance and barrier shunt capacitance. In addition, an MIM diode has been used to detect visible radiation from an argon ion laser.