Quantum mechanical modeling and validation of photoconductive switches for RF and antenna applications

Abstract

Photoconductive switches have been recently exploited as a promising replacement to active RF switches in reconfigurable antennas, since they provide unique properties, such as the absence of bias circuits, fast switching time, thermal stability, and easy integration with optical backhauls and fronthauls. Although lumped element models already exist, an accurate mathematical approach based on the physical background behind the switch operation is still lacking. We bestow a mathematical model based on quantum mechanics to analyze the photoconductive switches behavior, aiming to enhance the performance of photonics‐based RF devices and optically controlled reconfigurable antennas. The theoretical analysis has been properly validated by comparisons with experimental results of the photoconductive switch characterization at microwaves frequency range.