Generating THz radiations from gallium arsenide photoconductive switches with optimized pulse amplitude

Summary form only given. Terahertz radiations, which have a frequency range between 100 GHz and 30 THz, have applications in many fields, including nanotechnology, and photonics¹. The use of femto-second laser pulses and a gallium arsenide photoconductive switch (PCSS) to generate THz radiations is well known. THz radiation waves occur when the signal generated in the substrate moves along the PCSS material (which acts as a transmission line for the signal) to reach the contacts which acts as the radiator or antenna. The PCSS based radiators characteristics are determined by the contact shape ² and the materials properties of the substrate where charge carriers accelerate ³.