Waveguide-based detectors
ACST supplies a range of waveguide-based detectors for direct detection of mm-wave/THz signals. These detectors are based on a Schottky diode with integrated passive matching circuitry.
MM-wave/THz signals are coupled by either a waveguide coupler from the waveguide cavity or an optical lense to a Schottky diode. It rectifies the mm-wave/THz signal and converts it into a DC signal.
Envelope detectors or Square-law detectors
These detectors are frequently called “envelope detectors” or “square-law detectors”. These detectors are among the simplest and most sensitive detectors of mm-waves and THz signals operating at room temperature.
An important feature of such a detector is, it is one of the fastest solid-state devices, operating at room temperature. Intrinsically, the response time of an envelope detector is down to few ps. The response time is basically limited by surrounding circuitry, low-noise amplifier (if any), and connectors/cables.
ACST detectors are based on Low-Barrier Schottky Diodes, or also called Zero-Bias Diodes (ZBD). These detectors are operated without voltage/current bias and, therefore, assume minimal excessive noise. ACST ZBD-based detectors are among the best low-noise detectors of mm-wave/THz signals worldwide, considering sensibility, noise performance, linearity, and compatibility with high-speed reading electronics. This makes ACST ZBD-based detectors suitable not only for power control in industrial/research systems but also in high data rate data transmission systems and radiometry applications
