Review of terahertz photoconductive antenna technology

Abstract

Photoconductive antennas (PCAs) have been extensively utilized for the generation and detection of both pulsed broadband and single frequency continuous wave terahertz (THz) band radiation. These devices form the basis of many THz imaging and spectroscopy systems, which have demonstrated promising applications in various industries and research fields. The development of THz PCA technology through the last 30 years is reviewed. The key modalities of improving device performance are identified, and literature is reviewed to summarize the progress made in these areas. The goal of this review is to provide a collection of all relevant literature to bring researchers up to date on the current state and remaining challenges of THz PCA technology.

A year in review

“…2 Another top paper on flash lidar 3 was also part of this special section. Four additional top-downloaded papers were review papers on laser feedback interferometry, 4 head-mounted displays for air transportation, 5 terahertz photoconductive antenna technology, 6 and conformal displays. 7 The final three in the top-ten download list included special section papers on white light interferometric microscopy 8 and anisoplanatic imaging through turbulence, 9 along with a regular paper on laser-induced damage of camera sensors.…”

Steady-State Simulation of Semiconductor Devices Using Discontinuous Galerkin Methods

“…Challenges in the simulation of PCDs reside in the multiphysics nature of the involved physical process. PCDs are based on photoconductive semiconductor devices, which generate carriers under optical pumping and produce THz currents under the driving force of an applied bias voltage [4], [5]. Physically, a PCD has two operation stages:…”

Optical Transistor for Amplification of Radiation in a Broadband Terahertz Domain

“…Evidently, it can be increased for larger areas of the surface or employing multilayer hybrid structures. Thus graphene is here playing the role of a photoconductive antenna [74]. In addition, the h-BN deposition can help to remove graphene buck-ling, bubbles and domes and it improves its electrical and optical properties; furthermore, it allows to achieve the impedance matching.…”