Note on Large Signal Diode Detection

Several articles have appeared in the last few years on large signal detection, which placed emphasis upon the avoidance or minimizing of distortion. The most serious form of distortion in ordinary diode circuits is due to "nontracking," or the failure of the tube to become conducting for each peak of the impressed voltage. It is shown that the previously derived criterion for just avoiding nontracking is closely connected with the condition for maximum detected signal. Experimental results which revealed the connection are given together with possible explanations for the existing deviations.