Current responsivity of semiconductor superlattice THz-photon detectors

Anatoly A. Ignatov, Antti-Pekka Jauho

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    Abstract

    The current responsivity of a semiconductor superlattice THz-photon detector is calculated using an equivalent circuit model which takes into account the finite matching efficiency between a detector antenna and the superlattice in the presence of parasitic losses. Calculations performed for currently available superlattice diodes show that both the magnitudes and the roll-off frequencies of the responsivity are strongly influenced by an excitation of hybrid plasma-Bloch oscillations which are found to be eigenmodes of the system in the THz-frequency band. The expected room temperature values of the responsivity (2–3 A/W in the 1–3 THz-frequency band) range up to several percents of the quantum efficiency e/[h-bar] omega of an ideal superconductor tunnel junction detector. Properly designed semiconductor superlattice detectors may thus demonstrate better room temperature THz-photon responsivity than conventional Schottky junction devices. ©1999 American Institute of Physics.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Applied Physics
    Volume85
    Issue number7
    Pages (from-to)3643-3654
    ISSN0021-8979
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1999

    Bibliographical note

    Copyright (1999) American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.

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