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Tunnel diodes are used in various circuits in Tek gear made from the early 1960's until the 1980's.
'''Tunnel diodes (Esaki diodes)''' are used in various circuits in Tektronix gear made from the early 1960s until the 1980s.  


== Applications ==
== Applications ==
Tunnel diodes were mostly used where it was desirable to have fast and clean switching between two states.
Tunnel diodes were used where it was desirable to have fast and clean switching between two states.
They were used in  
They were used in  
* trigger circuits as Schmitt triggers,  
* trigger circuits as Schmitt triggers,  
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* pulse generators for converting a slow-rise signals to fast-rise pulses,
* pulse generators for converting a slow-rise signals to fast-rise pulses,
* countdown/sync circuits
* countdown/sync circuits
However, tunnel diodes can also be used as oscillators and as amplifiers.  There are different types of tunnel diode optimized for switching, oscillator or amplifier use.


== Issues of Drift and Failure ==
== Issues of Drift and Failure ==
Tunnel diode characteristics (peak and valley voltages and currents) tend to drift.  Usually this can be handled by adjusting the surrounding circuit.  Sometimes tunnel diodes completely fail.  Replacement usually involves scavenging a similar tunnel diode from some other device.  There are some people in the Tek community who may have some tunnel diodes they can sell. Furthermore, [[Russian tunnel diodes]] are still available from military surplus with relative ease.
Tunnel diode characteristics (peak and valley voltages and currents) tend to drift.  Usually this can be handled by adjusting the surrounding circuit.  Sometimes tunnel diodes completely fail.  Replacement usually involves scavenging a similar tunnel diode from some other device.  There are some people in the Tek community who may have some tunnel diodes they can sell. Germanium tunnel diodes are extremely sensitive to overheat, especially at soldering work. Be aware and use low melting solder and appropriate tool to protect the body from overheating!
 
Germanium tunnel diodes are extremely sensitive to overheat, especially at soldering work. Be aware and use low melting solder and appropriate tool to protect the body from overheating!


== Relevant Distinguishing Parameters ==
== Relevant Distinguishing Parameters ==
Many different types of tunnel diodes were made.  The primary parameter that describes one is the peak current, which is the current at the top of the hill in the I-V curve.  The other two relevant electrical parameters are the capacitance of the diode and whether it is made of GaAs or Ge.  In some circuits,
Many different types of tunnel diodes were made.  The primary parameter that describes one is the peak current, which is the current at the top of the hill in the I-V curve.  The other two relevant electrical parameters are the capacitance of the diode and whether it is made of GaAs or Ge.  In some circuits, another model of tunnel diode can be substituted with only minor modifications to the surrounding circuit.  [[Stan Griffiths]] describes such a modification here:
another model of tunnel diode can be substituted with only minor modifications to the surrounding circuit.  [[Stan Griffiths]] describes such a modification here:


* http://www.reprise.com/host/tektronix/reference/tunnel_diode.asp
* [[Tunnel Diode Replacement and Modification]]


== Emulation using Common Parts ==
== Emulation using Common Parts ==
A common question is whether an electrical equivalent to a tunnel diode can be made out of modern, available parts.  It is not hard to emulate the I-V curve (e.g. using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda_diode Lambda diode] circuit) but there is no known circuit that can be made from available parts that has right I-V curve at the low voltage level and high switching speeds of the real diode.
A common question is whether an electrical equivalent to a tunnel diode can be made out of modern,
available parts.  It is not hard to emulate the I-V curve, but there is no known circuit that can be made from available parts that has right I-V curve and the high switching speed of the real diode.


== Testing a Tunnel Diode ==
== Testing a Tunnel Diode ==
Before concluding that a tunnel diode is bad, it is important to be sure that it has been measured correctly.  A high resistance reading on a DMM indicates that the diode is bad.  A low resistance on a DMM and a low voltage on a diode tester are both normal when measuring a tunnel diode.  A more thorough test of a tunnel diode is to drive it through a resistor with a ramp voltage source while observing the voltage across the tunnel diode.  The resistor should be calculated so that the peak current just exceeds the peak current that the tunnel diode is rated for.  Of course if a curve tracer is available, it is great for measuring
Before concluding that a tunnel diode is bad, it is important to be sure that it has been measured correctly.  A high resistance reading on a DMM indicates that the diode is bad.  A low resistance on a DMM and a low voltage on a diode tester are both normal when measuring a tunnel diode.  A more thorough test of a tunnel diode is to drive it through a resistor with a ramp voltage source while observing the voltage across the tunnel diode.  The resistor should be calculated so that the peak current just exceeds the peak current that the tunnel diode is rated for.  Of course if a curve tracer is available, it is great for measuring the I-V curve of the diode (note the negative-resistance part of the curve may not show due to the fast transit). 
the I-V curve of the diode (note that plotting the negative resistance area may prove difficult or impossible).
 
[[File:IV_Ge_TD-10mA.jpg|thumb|Tektronix 571 curve tracer run of 10mA tunnel diode.]]
A short article in [[Media:Service Scope 49 Apr 1968.pdf | Service Scope 49, April 1968]] describes a quick checking setup that approximates a curve tracer using the scope's X sawtooth output (see in photo section below).
[[File:IV_Ge_TD-10mA.jpg|thumb|Tektronix 571 curve tracer run of 10 mA tunnel diode.]]
[[File:Ge_TD.jpg|thumb|10mA tunnel diode mounted in Tektronix 571 curve tracer fixture.]]
[[File:Ge_TD.jpg|thumb|10mA tunnel diode mounted in Tektronix 571 curve tracer fixture.]]


== Modeling ==
== Modeling ==
The fast switching action of the tunnel diode can be understood by modeling it  
The fast switching action of the tunnel diode can be understood by modeling it as a nonlinear voltage controlled current source (VCCS) in parallel with a small parasitic capacitor.   
as a nonlinear voltage controlled current source (VCCS) in parallel with a small parasitic capacitor.   
The nonlinear VCCS is controlled by the voltage at the terminals of the diode and is responsible for the S-shaped I-V curve.   
The nonlinear VCCS is controlled by the voltage at the terminals of the diode  
(Alternatively and equivalently, it can be modeled as nonlinear resistance.  However, the nonlinear VCCS model might be preferable because it avoids  
and is responsible for the S-shaped I-V curve.   
(Alternatively and equivalently, it can be modeled as nonlinear resistance.   
However, the nonlinear VCCS model might be preferable because it avoids  
the confusing notion of negative resistance.)
the confusing notion of negative resistance.)
Consider a tunnel diode biased by a DC current source that is  
 
slowly brought up from zero to a current just  
Consider a tunnel diode biased by a DC current source that is slowly brought up from zero to a current just a few microamperes less than the diode's peak current.   
a few microamperes less than the diode's peak current.   
The quiescent voltage will be just less than the peak voltage.   
The quiescent voltage will be just less than the peak voltage.   
Note that the I-V curve is nearly horizontal at this point,  
 
and therefore the incremental resistance of the diode is very high at this point.   
Note that the I-V curve is nearly horizontal at this point, and therefore the incremental resistance of the diode is very high at this point.   
For simplicity, we can assume that the incremental resistance is infinite at this quiescent point.  
For simplicity, we can assume that the incremental resistance is infinite at this quiescent point.  
[[File:Trig1c.png|thumb]]
[[File:Trig1c.png|thumb]]
(The following section will be clarified in the coming edits.)


== Estimating Switching Speed ==
== Estimating Switching Speed ==
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<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Rca1963TunnelDiodeManual.p4.png
Rca1963TunnelDiodeManual.p4.png
File:Rca1963TunnelDiodeManual.p16-17.png
Rca1963TunnelDiodeManual.p16-17.png
</gallery>
</gallery>
== Tunnel Diodes Used in Tektronix Instruments ==
<div style="column-count:6;-moz-column-count:6;-webkit-column-count:6">
* [[STD615]] (152-01-02-00) - Ge, 10 mA, 28 pF
* [[TD1081]] (152-0099-00) - Ge, 50 mA, 6 pF
* [[TD253]] (152-0154-00) - Ge, 10 mA, 9 pF
* [[TD3A]] (152-0125-xx) - Ge, 4.7 mA, 18 pF
* [[1N3129]] - Ge, 20 mA, 20 pF
* [[1N3130]] - Ge, 50 mA, 6 pF
* [[1N3712]] - Ge, 1 mA ±10%, 10 pF
* [[1N3713]] - Ge, 1 mA ±2.5%, 5 pF
* [[1N3714]] - Ge, 2.2 mA ±10%, 25 pF
* [[1N3715]] - Ge, 2.2 mA ±2.5%, 10 pF
* [[1N3716]] - Ge, 4.7 mA ±5%, 50 pF
* [[1N3717]] - Ge, 4.7 mA ±2.5%, 25 pF
* [[1N3718]]/[[TD4]] - Ge, 10 mA ±10%, 90 pF
* [[1N3719]] - Ge, 10 mA ±2.5%, 25 pF
* [[1N3720]] - Ge, 22 mA ±10%, 150 pF
* [[1N3721]] - Ge, 22 mA ±2.5%, 100 pF 
* [[152-0140-01]] - Ge(?), 10 mA, 8 pF
* [[152-0177-00]]/-01/-02 - Ge, 10 mA, 4.7 pF
* [[152-0181-00]] - Ge(?), 1 mA, 5 pF
* [[152-0182-00]] - Ge(?), 10 mA, 50 pF
* [[152-0254-01]] - Ge, 100 mA, 6 pF
* [[152-0329-00]] - Ge(?), 19 mA, 1.5 pF
* [[152-0379-00]] - Ge(?), 20 mA, 10 pF
* [[152-0383-00]] - 50 mA, t<sub>r</sub> 31 ps
* [[152-0386-00]] - Ge(?), 10 mA, 25 pF
* [[152-0402-00]] - 2.2 mA 25 pF
* [[152-0489-00]] - Ge(?), 21 mA, 1.5 pF
* [[153-0040-00]] - 50 mA low-capacitance
* [[153-0400-00]] - 50 mA low-capacitance
</div>


== Reading ==
== Reading ==
===Textbooks and references===
===Textbooks and references===
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_diode Tunnel Diode] / [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backward_diode Backward Diode]
* Wikipedia: [[wikipedia:Tunnel diode|Tunnel Diode]] / [[wikipedia:Backward diode|Backward Diode]]
* Jacob Millman and Herbert Taub: Pulse, Digital and Switching Waveforms. McGraw-Hill, 1965. (&rarr; [https://archive.org/details/PulseDigitalSwitchingWaveforms Online (complete)])
* [[Media:Millman taub chapters 12 and 13.pdf|Millman and Taub Pulse, Digital and Switching Waveforms Chapters 12 and 13]]
** Chapter 12: Negative-resistance Devices – [http://w140.com/kurt/millman_taub_ed1_ch12.pdf PDF] / [http://w140.com/kurt/millman_taub_ed1_ch12.djvu DJVU]
* [[Media:Gentile-TunnelDiodes.pdf|Sylvester P. Gentile: Basic Theory and Application of Tunnel Diodes (1962)]]
** Chapter 13: Negative-resistance Switching Circuits – [http://w140.com/kurt/millman_taub_ed1_ch13.pdf PDF] / [http://w140.com/kurt/millman_taub_ed1_ch13.djvu DJVU]
* Tunnel diode switching circuits and the back diode. Service Scope [[Media:Service Scope 38 Jun 1966.pdf  | No. 38, June 1966]] and [[Media:Service Scope 39 Aug 1966.pdf  | No. 39, August 1966]]
* Sylvester P. Gentile: Basic Theory and Application of Tunnel Diodes (1962) [http://w140.com/Gentile-TunnelDiodes.pdf PDF (complete)]
* [https://w140.com/GenRad_Experimenter_July-Aug_1960.pdf Article by General Radio on Tunnel Diode Measurements]
** Chapter 8: Pulse and Switching Circuits [http://w140.com/kurt/tunnel_diodes_gentile_ch8.pdf PDF] / [http://w140.com/kurt/tunnel_diodes_gentile_ch8.djvu DJVU]
* [https://www.tpub.com/neets/book7/26a.htm tpub.com: The Tunnel Diode]
* [http://w140.com/GenRad_Experimenter_July-Aug_1960.pdf Article by General Radio on Tunnel Diode Measurements (PDF)]
* [https://w140.com/aec-nasa_april69_tunnel_diodes.pdf AEC - NASA Tech Brief 69-10116 (1969): Simple Tunnel Diode Circuit for Accurate Zero Crossing Timing]
* [http://www.tpub.com/neets/book7/26a.htm tpub.com: The Tunnel Diode]
* [https://w140.com/Nucl_Instrum_Methods_TD_Induct_effects_1968.pdf Nuclear Instruments and Methods 66 (1968): Inductance Effects on Capacitive Loading of a Tunnel Diode]
* [http://w140.com/aec-nasa_april69_tunnel_diodes.pdf AEC - NASA Tech Brief 69-10116 (1969): Simple Tunnel Diode Circuit for Accurate Zero Crossing Timing]
* [https://w140.com/andrews_directional-coupler_td_trig.pdf Andrews "Directional-Coupler Technique for Triggering a Tunnel Diode"]
* [http://w140.com/Nucl_Instrum_Methods_TD_Induct_effects_1968.pdf Nuclear Instruments and Methods 66 (1968): Inductance Effects on Capacitive Loading of a Tunnel Diode]
* [https://w140.com/andrews_nahman_flat_pulse_gen.pdf Andrews and Nahman "Reference Waveform Flat Pulse Generator"]
* [http://w140.com/andrews_directional-coupler_td_trig.pdf Andrews "Directional-Coupler Technique for Triggering a Tunnel Diode" (PDF)]
* [https://w140.com/andrews_improved_td_pulse_bias.pdf Andrews "Improved Bias Supply for Tunnel-Diode Picosecond Pulse Generators"]
* [http://w140.com/andrews_nahman_flat_pulse_gen.pdf Andrews and Nahman "Reference Waveform Flat Pulse Generator" (PDF)]
* [https://w140.com/nasa_paull_tunnel_diode_logic.pdf NASA Technical Note: Paull, Cancro, and Garrahan, "Low Power Nanosecond Pulse and Logic Circuits Using Tunnel Diodes"]
* [http://w140.com/andrews_improved_td_pulse_bias.pdf Andrews "Improved Bias Supply for Tunnel-Diode Picosecond Pulse Generators" (PDF)]
* [[Media:Diode-Circuits-Handbook-Rufus-Turner.pdf|Rufus P. Turner, "Diode Circuits Handbook"]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20211016024914/https://www.americanmicrosemi.com/tutorial/tunnel-diode-and-back-diode/ American Micro Semiconductor: Tunnel Diode and Back Diode] (archived webpage)
* [[Media:L'Archeveque-RV-1965-PhD-Thesis.pdf]]
{{Documents|Link=Tunnel diodes}}


===Cross-reference===
===Cross-reference===
* [http://w140.com/tek_xref_tunnel_diodes.pdf Tektronix diode cross reference - Tunnel, Back, Four-layer, Varicap, Snap-off, Suppressor, PIN]
* [[Media:Tektronix_Tunnel_Diodes_Cross_Reference.pdf|Tektronix diode cross reference - Tunnel, Back, Four-layer, Varicap, Snap-off, Suppressor, PIN]]
* [http://w140.com/tunnel_diodes_table_cs.html Craig Sawyers' 1N tunnel diode summary table]
* [https://w140.com/tunnel_diodes_table_cs.html Craig Sawyers' 1N tunnel diode summary table]
* [[Russian tunnel diodes]]
* [[Russian tunnel diodes]]
* See also [[:Category:Tunnel diodes]] /  [[:Category:Back diodes]]
* See also [[:Category:Tunnel diodes]] /  [[:Category:Back diodes]]


===General Electric===
===General Electric===
* [http://w140.com/GE_Tunnel_Diode_Manual.pdf General Electric Tunnel Diode Manual, 1st ed. 1961]
* [https://w140.com/GE_Tunnel_Diode_Manual.pdf General Electric Tunnel Diode Manual, 1st ed. 1961]
* [http://w140.com/Ge1961TunnelDiodeManual.pdf General Electric Tunnel Diode Manual (1961)]  
* [https://w140.com/Ge1961TunnelDiodeManual.pdf General Electric Tunnel Diode Manual (1961)]  
* General Electric Transistor Manual (1964)
* General Electric Transistor Manual (1964)
** [http://w140.com/ge_transistor_manual_1964-ch14_td.pdf Chapter 14: Tunnel Diode Circuits (PDF)]
** [https://w140.com/ge_transistor_manual_1964-ch14_td.pdf Chapter 14: Tunnel Diode Circuits]
** [http://w140.com/ge_transistor_manual_1964-tunnel-diode_specs.pdf Chapter 19: Tunnel Diode Specifications]
** [https://w140.com/ge_transistor_manual_1964-tunnel-diode_specs.pdf Chapter 19: Tunnel Diode Specifications]
* [http://w140.com/kurt/ge_tunnel_diodes_71.pdf General Electric Tunnel Diode Specifications (1971)]
<!-- MISSING * [https://w140.com/kurt/ge_tunnel_diodes_71.pdf General Electric Tunnel Diode Specifications (1971)] -->
* [http://w140.com/td262a.pdf GE TD26x/TD27x Datasheet (PDF)]
* [https://w140.com/td262a.pdf GE TD26x/TD27x Datasheet]
* [http://w140.com/kurt/ge_bd1-7.pdf Germanium Back Diodes] (BD1 – BD7)
* [[Media:General Electric semiconductors 1966 HRFE.pdf|General Electric Tunnel Diodes in 1966 Transistor Catalog]] (OCR)
* [[Media:GE Research Information Services Tunnel Diodes.pdf|1959 General Electric Research Information Services Report on Tunnel Diodes]]
* [[Media:Ge 1n3712-1n3721.pdf|General Electric 1N3712 to 1N3721 Data]]


===RCA===
===RCA===
* [http://w140.com/kurt/Rca1963TunnelDiodeManual.pdf RCA Tunnel Diode Manual (1963)]
* [[Media:RCA 1963 Tunnel Diode Manual.pdf | RCA 1963 Tunnel Diode Manual]] (OCR)


===Other Manufacturers===
===Other Manufacturers===
* [http://w140.com/kurt/gpd_tunnel_datasheet.pdf Germanium Power Devices Corp. Tunnel Diode Specifications, 6/1985] (1N3712–20, 1N3713–21)
<!-- MISSING * [https://w140.com/kurt/gpd_tunnel_datasheet.pdf Germanium Power Devices Corp. Tunnel Diode Specifications, 6/1985] (1N3712–20, 1N3713–21) -->
* [[Media:1n3271 to 1n4399b.pdf|1N3271 to 1N4399B Specs (PDF)]]
* [[Media:Tunnel diodes in 1961 D.A.T.A. book.pdf|Tunnel Diodes Section of 1961 D.A.T.A. book]] (full book: https://archive.org/details/DATASemiconductorDiodeRectifierCharacteristicsTabulation1961VolVII)


==Images==
==Images==


<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Tek 575 tunnel diode.jpg|testing a tunnel diode on a 575
Tek 575 tunnel diode.jpg         | Testing a tunnel diode on a [[575]]
File:7D20_Tunnel_Diode.jpg|Testing a tunnel diode with an audio oscillator and a 7D20 in X-Y mode
7D20_Tunnel_Diode.jpg           | Testing a tunnel diode with an audio oscillator and a [[7D20]] in X-Y mode
Tunnel diode quick check.jpg    | Tunnel diode quick check method, from [[Media:Service Scope 49 Apr 1968.pdf | Service Scope 49, April 1968]]
TD quick check example.jpg      | Tunnel diode quick check example using the method from Service Scope 49, April 1968.  Right beam is zoomed with delayed timebase to show step speed.
IV Ge TD-10mA.jpg                | Tektronix [[571]] curve tracer I-V run of a 10 mA germanium tunnel diode
TDA253-Tunnel_Diode.jpg          | TD 253 Tunnel Diode from a Tek 547
Tek_547-TunnelDiodes-Trigger.jpg | Tunnel Diodes TD253 and TD3A in a Tek 547 Trigger and Sweep Section)
Tunnel_DIode_1D2_2.2mA.jpg      | 1D2 Tunnel Diode (2.2 mA) in a Tek 547 Delay Pickoff
</gallery>
</gallery>




[[Category:Tunnel diodes]]
 
[[Category:Circuits and Concepts]]
[[Category:Repair issues]]
[[Category:Repair issues]]
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