A Tunnel Diode Discrete-Frequency Oscillator

During the investigation of a cryogenic pulse-storage device containing a tunnel diode coupled to an open-circuited delayline, oscillations were observed which abruptly changed frequency with variations of bias. This paper is an inquiry into the causes and nature of these oscillations. The investigation is resolved into two interdependent sections. Section I presents the construction of a model that contains the significant features of the oscillator and its analysis. Section II consists of an experimental determination of the variation of oscillation frequency with bias. The frequency of oscillation is found to exhibit sharp steps as bias varies, hence, the term "discrete frequency oscillator."