THz emission from semiconductor surfaces

We provide a review of experimental and theoretical work on electromagnetic terahertz pulse emission from semiconductor surfaces excited by femtosecond laser radiation. The main terahertz emission mechanisms are analysed. The terahertz emission from InAs and Ge is explained by the photo-Dember effect and electric field induced optical rectification. Electronic band structure and carrier scattering mechanisms are investigated by means of terahertz emission and absorption spectroscopy in InAs, InSb and Ge. To cite this article: V.L. Malevich et al., C. R. Physique 9 (2008).