Bulk GaN Schottky Diodes for Millimeter Wave Frequency Multipliers

Within the context of this project, White Light Power Inc. (WLPI) will demonstrate the feasibility of using vertical GaN Schottky diodes for high-power rectification at W-band. To achieve this goal, WLPI will utilize it's experience of fabricating power rectifier diodes to enable highly cost-efficient selection of a wafer. The same experience will also be utilized in selecting and working with an epi-supplier to ensure demonstration of the requisite 1000 cm2/Vs mobility. WLPI will design, manufacture and test the diodes to ensure that the device characteristics such as breakdown voltage, C-V characteristics, leakage and ideality factor are consistent with the target 200 mW power handling capacity. WLPI will provide data and documentation supporting and detailing the wafer selection, epi qualification, manufacturing and testing of the devices. WLPI will dice and deliver devices to NASA for further testing.

Terahertz radiometry-spectrometry is an important technique for remote sensing of terrestrial, planatery, and interstellar trace constituents and physical properties. Numerous NASA missions with sub-millimeter wave instruments have been deployed with a wide-range of mission targets. Further expansion of the capabilities requires increased local oscillator power. A first GaN stage that can provide increased power-handling capability will extend the sub-millimeter wave power that can be supplied for radiometry-spectrometry instruments. Potential NASA commercial applications will likely center around terrestrial sensing for various industries.

One of the most important non-NASA applications of the multiplier diodes is in the terahertz imaging radars for home-land security applications. The high power GaN diodes that we are proposing to develop with this project will enable higher transmitter power and, thus, higher stand-off distance and higher sensitivity. Potential Non-NASA applications will center around remote-sensing and imaging for security or industrial control applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.