A Compact Source of Terahertz Radiation Based on an Open Corrugated Waveguide

Abstract

We show that it is possible to produce terahertz wave generation in an open waveguide, which includes a multilayer dielectric plate. The plate consists of two dielectric layers with a corrugated interface. Near the interface, there is a thin semiconductor layer (quantum well), which is an electron-conducting channel. The generation and amplification of terahertz waves occur due to the efficient energy exchange between electrons, drifting in the quantum well, and the electromagnetic wave of the waveguide. We calculate the inhomogeneous electric fields induced near the corrugated dielectric interface by electric field of fundamental mode in the open waveguide. We formulate hydrodynamic equations and obtain analytical solutions for density waves of electrons interacting with the inhomogeneous electric field of the corrugation. According to numerical estimates, for a structure with a plate of quartz and sapphire layers and silicon-conducting channel, it is possible to generate electromagnetic waves with an output power of 25 mW at a frequency of 1 THz.