Article
Article
- Engineering & Materials
- Physical electronics
- Parametric amplifier
Parametric amplifier
Article By:
Hines, M. E. Microwave Associates Inc., Burlington, Massachusetts.
Last reviewed:August 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.487800
A highly sensitive low-noise amplifier for ultrahigh-frequency and microwave radio signals, utilizing as the active element an inductor or capacitor whose reactance is varied periodically at another microwave or ultrahigh frequency. A varactor diode is most commonly used as the variable reactor. The varactor is a semiconductor pn junction diode, and its junction capacitance is varied by the application of a steady signal from a local microwave oscillator, called the pump. Amplification of weak signal waves occurs through a nonlinear modulation or signal-mixing process which produces additional signal waves at other frequencies. This process may provide negative-resistance amplification for the applied signal wave and increased power in one or more of the new frequencies which are generated. See also: Varactor
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