Open AccessSpectral characteristics of terahertz radiation from plasmonic photomixers
Author(s) -
Seungmi Yang,
Mona Jarrahi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.028522
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , plasmon , optoelectronics , laser linewidth , materials science , optics , photomixing , terahertz spectroscopy and technology , photonics , laser , far infrared laser , physics , terahertz metamaterials
We present a comprehensive analysis of spectral characteristics of terahertz radiation from plasmonic photomixers. We fabricate plasmonic photomixer prototypes with plasmonic contact electrode gratings on a low temperature grown GaAs substrate and characterize the spectral properties of the generated terahertz radiation by use of a heterodyne detection scheme. Our analysis shows that linewidth, stability, and frequency tuning range of the generated terahertz radiation are directly determined by linewidth, stability, and wavelength tuning range of optical pump beam and not affected by device geometry, substrate properties, optical pump power level and other operational settings. Our study indicates the crucial role of optical sources in realizing high performance terahertz spectroscopy and wireless communication systems based on plasmonic photomixers.