Record power-added efficiency using GaAs on insulator MESFET technology

Record power-added efficiency (PAE) of 89% was obtained at 8 GHz with a gain of 9.6 dB using GaAs on insulator (GOI) MESFETs, which were operated using a 3 V supply. When the voltage was increased to 4 V, the peak PAE was 93% at 210 mW/mm with 9.2 dB gain. The ideal current-voltage characteristics with practically zero leakage current and large transconductance near pinch-off yielded PAE values approaching the theoretical limits of over-driven operation.