Recent Progress in Terahertz Quantum-Well Photodetectors

Author

Guo, X.G. ; Cao, Jun Cheng ; Zhang, Rongting ; Tan, Zhi Yong ; Liu, H.C.

Author_Institution

Key Lab. of Terahertz Solid-State Technol., Shanghai Inst. of Microsyst. & Inf. Technol., Shanghai, China

Volume

19

Issue

1

fYear

2013

fDate

Jan.-Feb. 2013

Firstpage

8500508

Lastpage

8500508

Abstract

Terahertz quantum-well photodetectors (QWPs) represent a new and emerging photon-type detector in a terahertz region. Recent progress in the development of terahertz QWPs is reviewed. We first discuss the many-particle effects on the accurate design of terahertz QWPs. Second, three types of light couplers for terahertz QWPs are introduced. At resonant coupling frequencies, the polarization of light field is effectively changed by the light couplers to fulfill the selection rule of intersubband transition. Meanwhile, the electric field intensities in the active multiquantum-well region of terahertz QWPs are enhanced. The performance of terahertz QWPs with these light couplers is improved significantly. Finally, terahertz-QWP-based wireless communication and imaging are demonstrated.

Keywords

light polarisation; microwave photonics; optical communication equipment; optical couplers; optical design techniques; photodetectors; quantum well devices; terahertz wave detectors; terahertz wave imaging; active multiquantum-well region; electric field intensity; intersubband transition; light couplers; light held polarization; many-particle effects; photon-type detector; resonant coupling frequency; selection rule; terahertz quantum-well photodetectors; terahertz region; terahertz-QWP-based imaging; terahertz-QWP-based wireless communication; Couplers; Couplings; Detectors; Gratings; Metals; Photoconductivity; Photonics; Imaging; light couplers; quantum-well photodetectors (QWPs); terahertz; wireless communication;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JSTQE.2012.2201136

Filename

6204309