Sequential multi-photon strategy for semiconductor-based terahertz detectors

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel semiconductor terahertz detector design using a bound-to-bound-to-continuum architecture with sequential multi-photon absorption, potentially outperforming traditional quantum-well detectors in the terahertz range.

Contribution

It introduces a new multi-subband scheme with a ladder of equidistant energy levels for enhanced terahertz detection, supported by theoretical analysis.

Findings

The proposed scheme enables sequential multi-photon absorption at targeted frequencies.

Theoretical results suggest it could outperform conventional quantum-well detectors.

The design offers a promising alternative for terahertz detection technology.

Abstract

A semiconductor-based terahertz-detector strategy, exploiting a bound-to-bound-to-continuum architecture, is presented and investigated. In particular, a ladder of equidistant energy levels is employed, whose step is tuned to the desired detection frequency and allows for sequential multi-photon absorption. Our theoretical analysis demonstrates that the proposed multi-subband scheme could represent a promising alternative to conventional quantum-well infrared photodetectors in the terahertz spectral region.