Integrated Monolithic Mixers on GaAs for Millimeter and Submillimeter Wave Applications

The development of surface-oriented Schottky diodes for use as detectors and mixers has provided the potential for reliable low-cost monolithic receivers and the possibility of receiver arrays for the microwave, millimeter and submillimeter wave regions. Applications range from radio astronomy, plasma diagnostics and spectroscopy to large military imaging systems. Improved materials growth, ion-implantation and proton-bombardment-isolation technologies which have made the present surface-oriented devices possible are discussed. Integrated monolithic receivers in which antennas, transmission lines, and other circuit components are integrated with surface-oriented devices on a GaAs wafer are described.