Quasioptical millimeter-wave hybrid and monolithic PIN diode switches

The development of a new type of quasioptical PIN diode switch is reported. The quasioptical imaging application which motivated the development of the switch is briefly described. The theory of switch operation in both its reflection and transmission modes is explained. Experimental results from measurements of both hybrid and monolithic circuits in the millimeter-wave range are presented. The hybrid version exhibits losses in the reflection mode of 1 dB or less and isolation of 20 dB or more. Performance of the monolithic version is comparable, despite a PIN diode yield of less than 80%.<
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