New point-contact diodes for infrared heterodyne detection

Abstract

Experiments with point-contact diodes consisting of different combinations of metals, semimetals, and semiconductors to be used as laser harmonic generators and mixers up to 200 THz have resulted in three rugged devices: The W-Sb, W-SnTe, and W-Bi2Te3 point contact diodes can partly replace the W-Ni and W-GaAs diodes respectively.