Coherent detection of terahertz radiation with scalable antennas

We present a novel non-resonant photoconductive THz detection antenna. Compared to electro-optic sampling, photoconductive antennas can be integrated more easily into compact THz setups, e.g. by using substrate lenses and by coupling to optical fibers. However, since the antenna gap of typical THz detection antennas is usually only a few µm wide, the alignment of photoconductive antennas is not simple and the possibility to move the antenna is limited. Here we report on a THz system consisting of a scalable THz emitter based on an interdigitated electrode structure [1] and a detection antenna with similar electrode geometry. While the THz emitter is fabricated on SI-GaAs substrate, various materials with short carrier lifetimes are used for the detection antenna. Detection antennas based on LT-GaAs and GaAs implanted with As+ (dual-energy implants, 1MeV and 2.4 MeV, doses in the range from 10e13 cm-2 to 10e16 cm-2) and N+ (dual-energy implants, 0.4 MeV and 0.9 MeV, doses in the range from 10e12 cm-2 to 10e14 cm-2) are compared. The strongest detected signals are found for As+ implantations with a dose in the 10e14 cm-2 range. Antenna currents of up to 7 nA are observed, the corresponding spectrum extends up to 4 THz. The THz radiation was modulated with frequencies up to 100 kHz. In this range the detected signal was independent of the modulation frequency. From the RC time constant of the detector antenna a cut-off frequency of 500 kHz is expected. Furthermore the dependence of the detected signal on the gating laser power and the spot size of the gating beam were studied and optimum conditions are discussed. In conclusion, the scalable antennas constitute an efficient, easy-to-use, symmetric emitter-detector pair.
[1] A. Dreyhaupt, S. Winnerl, T. Dekorsy, and M. Helm, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 121114 (2005).