High Performance GaAs Schottky Barrier Diodes using a Cantilevered Metal Contact

A planar Schottky diode of original structure has been developed using a suspended contact between the active diode area and the ohmic contact to increase the device cut-off frequency and make a low cost reliable device. Self-alignment techniques were used to define the active diode area. Cut-off frequencies in excess of 2 000 GHz have been measured and series resistances around 1.3 ohms. The diodes have been used in waveguide and microstrip mixer structures and conversion loss measurements will be presented.