Terahertz emission from narrow band gap semiconductors

Ingrid Wilke

doi:10.1117/12.735101

26 September 2007 Terahertz emission from narrow band gap semiconductors

Ingrid Wilke

Proceedings Volume 6772, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems II; 67720N (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.735101
Event: Optics East, 2007, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

We report an experimental study on THz-emission from narrow band gap semiconductors excited by femtosecond nearinfrared laser pulses. In particular, we studied GaSb, Ga_1-xIn_xSb and InN. The Ga_1-xIn_xSb material system enables the study of the influence of carrier concentrations on THz emission process in narrow band gap semiconductors. The study demonstrates the existence of a compromise between the positive effect of high electron temperature provided by narrow band gap materials and the negative effect of high intrinsic carrier concentrations. The influence of the majority and minority carrier types and concentrations on THz emission strength was investigated using GaSb:Te. By varying the majority and minority carrier type and carrier concentrations over three orders of magnitude the THz emission mechanism in GaSb can be tuned from being dominated by the photo-Dember effect to being dominated by surface field acceleration. Within each regime photo-Dember based THz emission and surface field acceleration based THz emission are maximized under specific majority and minority carrier concentrations. Strong advantages of InN as THz-emitter over other narrow band gap materials, are strong intrinsic electric fields, low intrinsic carrier concentration and most importantly, very low probability of intervalley scattering.

Citation Download Citation

Ingrid Wilke "Terahertz emission from narrow band gap semiconductors", Proc. SPIE 6772, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems II, 67720N (26 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.735101

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available