Nonlinear Biasing Resistors for Microwave Tunnel-Diode Oscillators (Correspondence)

By using a nonlinear rather than a linear stabilizing resistor in tunnel-diode oscillator and amplifier circuits, the dc power dissipation in the resistor may be reduced by a factor of 3 for typical germanium tunnel diodes, and by a factor of 6 for typical gallium arsenide tunnel diodes. At the same time ac loading by the resistor is reduced. Such nonlinear stabilizing resistors may consist of reverse- or forward-biased heavily doped pn junctions.