Erhard Kohn

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Erhard Kohn

Introduction

Erhard Kohn is a notable inventor based in Orsay, France, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of ultra-high frequency technology. With a total of three patents to his name, Kohn has made strides in developing advanced electronic components that enhance the performance of various systems.

Latest Patents

Kohn's latest patents include a variable capacitance element controllable by a D.C. voltage. This invention pertains to a variable capacitance element designed for operation in the ultra-high frequency range. The element is engineered to integrate seamlessly onto an integrated circuit chip, ensuring that the control voltage does not interfere with the ultra-high frequency signal. Notably, it avoids the use of filters or shock chokes that are not integrable. The design utilizes the junction capacitances variation of at least one diode, which is reverse-biased by a voltage across a resistor, with the high-frequency signal applied at the diode anode. The construction features an active zone in a semi-insulating substrate, with two metallizations partially covering the active zone to form at least one diode. A projection to the active zone serves as the resistor for the control voltage. The diodes used are p-n junctions of Schottky diodes, and the semiconductor material is either silicon or from the III-V group. This invention has applications in oscillators, filters, phase shifters, and other ultra-high frequency equipment.

Another significant patent by Kohn is for a field effect transistor with a submicron vertical structure, which operates under ballistic conditions at very high frequencies ranging from 100 to 200 GHz. This invention aims to increase the output impedance and power of the transistor by decoupling the field effect of the first gate from the drain using the field effect of a second gate. The two gates are positioned on opposite sides of a mesa etched in the active layer beneath the drain, with the second gate closer to the drain. This displacement is achieved through an insulating layer beneath the second gate, and the gates are deposited successively by lateral projections. This technology has promising applications in ultra-high frequency systems.

Career Highlights

Erhard Kohn has made significant contributions to the field of electronics during his career. He is currently associated with Thomson-CSF, a company known for its advancements in technology and defense systems. His work has been pivotal in pushing the boundaries of ultra-high