Intersubband Terahertz Detectors
Abstract
Intersubband dynamics of electrons and wide semiconductor quantum wells offer opportunities to fabricate Terahertz detectors with extremely high performance, new functionalities, and moderate cryogenic requirements. I will begin with a review of intersubband transitions in quantum wells and detectors based thereon. I will then discuss the theory and development of "Tunable antenna coupled intersubband THz" (TACIT) detectors. These are four-terminal phototransistors. Terahertz radiation absorbed via an intersubband transition changes the in-plane resistance between a source and drain. Our current research program aims to demonstrate a TACIT heterodyne receiver for 1.6 THz suitable for space-based THz astrophysics missions and operating at lattice temperatures > 20 K while requiring local oscillator power < 1 μW. Such a device would eliminate the need to fly either liquid helium, required to cool state of the art superconducting mixers, or few-mW Terahertz sources, required to pump Schottky diode receivers.
- Publication:
-
Far-IR, Sub-mm & MM Detector Technology Workshop
- Pub Date:
- 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002fism.workE..83S