Generation of higher harmonics in a point W–Co contact

An experimental investigation was made of the conditions under which harmonics were generated in a metal–oxide–metal diode used for the synthesis and measurement of laser frequencies in the submillimeter and infrared parts of the spectrum. The experiments were carried out in the microwave (millimeter) range. Harmonics of order in excess of 30 were generated. The signal/ noise ratio was found to be inversely proportional to N², where N is the nonlinear order. At powers in excess of 100 mW the harmonic amplitude became saturated.