Waveguide/resonant-disc circuits for millimetre-wave devices

Bias circuits using resonant discs have been employed for millimetre-wave transferred-electron (TE) diodes operating at their second or third harmonic frequencies in the V (50¿75 GHz) and W (75¿110 GHz) bands. It is shown that this type of circuit exhibits resonances at frequencies in the lower millimetre-wave range, corresponding to the fundamental oscillation frequency of diodes typically used. In addition, the circuit provides efficient coupling to the waveguide circuit at the higher (harmonic) operating frequency. By tuning the fundamental oscillation frequency of a number of resonant discs, the power-frequency spectrum of the TE device can be determined, which is demonstrated for a device with its maximum third-harmonic power output at 94 GHz.