TRAPATT diodes -- looking for sources of parts

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the search for sources of TRAPATT diodes, including their characteristics and potential experimentation with them. Participants explore the nature of TRAPATT diodes, their historical context, and the challenges associated with using them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding manufacturers of TRAPATT diodes and seeks information from others.
  • Another participant mentions the 1N5408 diode, suggesting that TRAPATT is a specific application of ordinary diodes, referencing an article for further reading.
  • A third participant describes TRAPATT diodes as avalanche diodes that produce short pulses of microwave energy, noting that they are high noise devices from the 1970s and are no longer commonly used.
  • One participant humorously anticipates challenges in using general-purpose diodes in ways not covered by their specifications, implying potential for damage during experimentation.
  • A later reply echoes this sentiment, playfully commenting on the expected outcomes of overworking components and encourages updates on the experimentation process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of TRAPATT diodes or their current use, with multiple viewpoints expressed regarding their characteristics and historical context.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the operational characteristics of diodes and the implications of using them outside their specified limits, but these assumptions remain unresolved.

Majorana
Messages
99
Reaction score
43
Hello everybody,
I wish to do some experiments with TRAPATT (TRApped Plasma Avalanche Triggered Transit) diodes, but after much googling I was unable to find the name of any manufacturer of such diodes.

Anybody with useful pieces of info?...
Thank you! :bow:
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
A TRAPATT diode is an avalanche diode, operating in a mode that produces short pulses of microwave energy.
The mode is no longer used as they were high noise devices, a product of the 1970s.
See; Theory and Operating Characteristics of TRAPATT Amplifiers. 1977. R.W.Laton, G.I.Haddad, M.I.Grace. 7.15 MByte download
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/b020021.pdf
 
Thank you very much to both of you... Ouch! It seems quite an adventure! Driving a general purpose diode into a region that, of course, is not covered nor described in its specifications... I forecast a lot of smoke and smell of burned plastics in the near future! :oldbiggrin: :angel:
 
Majorana said:
I forecast a lot of smoke and smell of burned plastics in the near future!

Ahh yes! The sweet smell of an overworked component. Please keep us updated on how much of that "magic smoke" you release into the wild! (and how.)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K