The low-frequency open circuit noise spectral density, S(f) = <V
2>/Δf, of an avalanching junction can be represented by S(f) = a
2V
B2/I
owhere V
B, I
o, and a
2are the reverse voltage, current, and a factor dependent on the ionization coefficients, respectively. For single-drift p
+-n or n
+-p silicon diodes

A/Hz. However, for symmetric p-n junctions, e.g., a double-drift IMPATT diode, the first-order theory predicts

A/Hz. Low-frequency noise measurements were made on a double-drift IMPATT to confirm the inverse current dependence and to experimentally determine the magnitude of a
2.