A 520–590 GHz Crossbar Balanced Fundamental Schottky Mixer

We report on the design and performance of a crossbar broadband, biasable, balanced fundamental 520-590 GHz fix-tuned frequency mixer that utilizes planar Schottky diodes. The suspended stripline circuit is fabricated on a GaAs membrane mounted in a split waveguide block. The chip is supported by thick beam leads that are also used to provide precise RF grounding, RF coupling and DC/IF connections. At room temperature, the mixer has a measured DSB noise temperature of 2200 K at the low end of the band, and less than 4000 K across the design band.