Terahertz Plasmonic Detector Controlled by Phase Asymmetry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a phase-controlled terahertz plasmonic detector using a TeraFET, demonstrating enhanced resonant detection and proposing a phase-sensitive homodyne scheme for improved response in the terahertz range.

Contribution

It presents a novel phase asymmetry method to control and enhance terahertz plasmonic detection in TeraFETs, including a new phase-sensitive homodyne detection scheme.

Findings

Phase difference induces a plasmon-assisted dc current.

Resonant enhancement near plasmonic resonances.

Proposed scheme improves detector response.

Abstract

We demonstrate that phase-difference between terahertz signals on the source and drain of a field effect transistor (a TeraFET) induces a plasmon-assisted dc current, which is dramatically enhanced in vicinity of plasmonic resonances. We describe a TeraFET operation with identical amplitudes of radiation on source and drain antennas but with a phase-shift-induced asymmetry. In this regime, the TeraFET operates as a tunable resonant polarization-sensitive plasmonic spectrometer operating in the sub-terahertz and terahertz range of frequencies. We also propose an effective scheme of a phase-sensitive homodyne detector operating in a phase-asymmetry mode, which allows for a dramatic enhancement of the response. These regimes can be implemented in different materials systems including silicon. The p-diamond TeraFETs could support operation in the 200 to 600 GHz atmospheric windows.