Description
Farran Technology produces a complete range of corner cube detectors for use in the submillimeter wavelength region. The corner cube detector consists of a long wire antenna, backed by a corner cube reflector, contacting a low capacitance Schottky barrier diode. This configuration has been recognised as being that providing the most sensitive and broadband response to radiation at submillimeter wavelengths.
Farran Technology is in a unique position to supply high quality corner cube detectors as it also manufactures in-house the low noise diodes whose performance is the key to high sensitivity in this wavelength region. All corner cubes supplied by FTL are mechanically rugged units and each incorporates a shorting switch to provide protection from static discharges when it is not being used. A built-in protection diode reduces the risk of burnout from transients when the detector is in use.
Each corner cube detector is custom made for the frequency specified by the customer. The corresponding wavelength determines the length of the antenna in the corner cube as well as the parameters of the Schottky diode to be used.
The corner cube detectors are intended for video detection of a modulated source. There are two separate ports, one video output connector and one DC-bias input connector. The standard video output frequency is 10 kHz to 100 MHz, but can be ordered to customer's specification. The detectors have a built-in video matching network to ensure that the highest sensitivity is achieved within the video frequency band.
 In order to achieve the highest sensitivity, the detectors require a DC-bias for the Schottky barrier diode. The DC-bias network is an integral part of the video matching network and is supplied via a separate DC-bias input connector. The Farran Technology Precision DC-Bias Supply FDB-F4 is recommended to ensure safe provision of suitable bias voltage.
The corner cube detectors have a 24° (at 10dB points) Gaussian beam at an angle of 28° to the vertical.
This beam must be collimated by a lens or mirror to match the customer's system requirements. There is a standard Farran Technology lens, or a choice of two standard off-axis parabolic mirrors for this purpose.
The corner cube detecotrs are manufactured in tow different configurations:
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Option CDS - Standard model with integral shorting switch and protection diode. Without video matching network. Single output connector. Economical model for power detection, suitable for customer's own back-end applications.
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Option CDB - Similar features to CDS but also including a video network. Separate DC-bias and video ports. Standard video output is 10 kHz - 100 MHz. | 
