Effect of nonsaturated drift velocity on avalanche-diode performance

It has become evident from a large-signal analysis of a Read-diode oscillator that in order to obtain high power and efficiency, the r-f voltage swing across the diode becomes comparable to the breakdown voltage and thus the field in the drift region becomes quite low during a part of the r-f cycle. This, of course, results in a nonsaturated or field-dependent velocity in the drift region which essentially changes the drift time and thus affects the power output and efficiency of the device considerably.