Dual stack varactor

Abstract

Embodiments include apparatuses and methods related to vertically stacked varactors. Specifically two varactors may be constructed of vertically stacked layers including an anode layer, a contact layer, and a varactor layer. The two varactors may share one or more layers in common. In some embodiments the two varactors may share the anode layer in common, while in other embodiments the two varactors may share the contact layer in common.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of circuits and, more particularly, to varactor diodes. Background technique [0002] A varactor may be a diode that acts as a voltage-controlled capacitor. When the control voltage across the layers of the varactor varies, the capacitance of the varactor may also vary. This change may be referred to as "tuning". In general, semiconductor varactors can have a wider tuning range (ie, capacitance change) and lower control voltage requirements than dielectric varactors implemented on materials such as barium strontium titanate (BST). However, semiconductor varactors typically achieve lower capacitance per unit area than dielectric varactors, requiring a larger die area to achieve a given capacitance. [0003] In general, varactor diodes can be considered as two-port devices, ie having two input terminals and two output terminals. As such, varactors may be prone to self-modulation dist...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

If a relatively large number of varactors are used, this circuit can make the required die area prohibitively large for what is used in today's devices

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