Development of techniques for the design of a 3.5 THz fundamental balanced Schottky heterodyne mixer

This paper presents a strategy for the accurate design and optimisation of Schottky heterodyne mixers operating at the THz band. The design procedure is based on a bespoke Monte Carlo diode model which provides a precise and reliable description of the physical phenomena in the diode. Commercial electromagnetic solvers are used to evaluate the parasitic components of the diode structure using Drude-like material models for the high doped layers of the diode. This technique is applied for the design of a 3.5 THz fundamental balanced mixer as part of the LOCUS atmospheric mission concept funded by ESA.