Simulation of electron transport in GaAs/AlAs superlattices with a small number of periods for the THz frequency range

The electron transport in superlattices based on GaAs/AlAs heterostructures with a small number of periods (6 periods) is calculated by the Monte Carlo method. These superlattices are used in terahertz diodes for the frequency stabilization of quantum cascade lasers in the range up to 4.7 THz. The band structure of superlattices with different numbers of AlAs monolayers is considered and their current–voltage characteristics are calculated. The calculated current–voltage characteristics are compared with the experimental data. The possibility of the efficient application of these superlattices in the THz frequency range is established both theoretically and experimentally.     

太赫兹量子级联激光器

太赫兹技术近年来发展迅速,应用越来越广泛,是当前的热门研究领域。太赫兹量子级联激光器是产生太赫兹辐射的重要器件,对太赫兹量子级联激光器的发展,以及有源区和波导层的设计等进行了详细讨论。     

Possible THz Bloch gain in dc–ac-driven superlattices

We study theoretically the feasibility of amplification and generation of THz radiation in dc–ac-driven semiconductor superlattices in the absence of electric domains. We find that if in addition to dc bias strong ac pump fields are applied, Bloch gain profile for a small THz signal can be achieved under conditions of positive static differential conductivity. We briefly review the case of THz pump and present preliminary results on the use of pump fields belonging to the microwave frequency band.     

0.85 THz 折叠波导行波管的高频特性与结构参数优化分析

由于折叠波导具有准二维结构、功率容量大、易集成等特点,非常适合在THz 频段推广应用,文中对0.85 THz 折叠波导行波管(FW-TWT)的色散和耦合阻抗特性进行了模拟计算与优化,利用等效电路理论、简化理论与CST 仿真计算的方法。根据折叠波导直波导高度需大于注通道的特点,电子注的直流加速电压必须小于某一值;根据MEMS 加工工艺的允许误差范围,对折叠波导结构各部分的参数进行优化,使该结构的色散较平坦与耦合阻抗较大。计算结果表明:电子注的直流加速电压不超过26 kV;注通道填充比为0.1 时,带宽约400 GHz、相速变化率小于1%时带宽约275 GHz(825~1 100 GHz)。该套方法对THz 折叠波导行波管的设计具有重要意义。     

便携式太赫兹波谱仪的概念设计

为了获得材料在太赫兹波段的信息,设计了一种频率在1 THz～15 THz范围的便携式波谱仪。该仪器以可调谐的THz量子级联激光器为光源,实现1 THz～15 THz的连续＂白光＂发射,以高灵敏度的超晶格结构半导体为探测器,利用电子学系统、计算机控制和数据处理得出材料在该波段的光谱信息,进而得出材料的结构信息。由于太赫兹量子级联激光器具有发热少,衰减弱,信噪比高,范围宽等优点,以此为光源的波谱仪小巧紧凑,便于移动和携带,具有传统波谱仪无法实现的优点。     

Terahertz Luminescence and Electrical Characteristics of SiC Structures with Natural Superlattice in Strong Electric Fields

Recently, the intense terahertz electroluminescence from monopolar n⁺⁺–n^?–n⁺ structures of 8H-SiC natural superlattice at helium temperatures due to Bloch oscillations was found out. In the present work, we compare the THz emission and electrical characteristics of monopolar n⁺⁺–n^?–n⁺ and bipolar n⁺⁺–π–n⁺ 8H-SiC structures at 7 K. The bipolar n⁺⁺–π–n⁺ 8H-SiC structures were analogous to those on which the negative differential conductivity effect was observed earlier for three polytypes (4H, 6H, and 8H) at T = 300 K. The obtained results allow one to draw a conclusion about common nature of the negative differential conductivity and THz emission effects in the natural superlattice of SiC caused by Bloch oscillations. These results give the proof of fundamental importance supporting the objectivity of postulates of the F. Bloch – C. Zener – G. N. Wannier theory     

半导体太赫兹源综述

太赫兹技术可以应用于信息科学,生物,医学,天文和环境科学等方面,而太赫兹源是太赫兹应用的关键器件。作者针对半导体太赫兹源如GaAs1-xNx二极管、量子阱负有效质量太赫兹振荡器和太赫兹量子级联激光器做了一个简要的回顾。掺杂的GaAs1-xNx二极管在直流偏压下的电流自振荡行为得到了研究,发现电流自振荡与这种独特材料体系非抛物线型导带的负微分速率效应相关。量子阱负有效质量p pp 二极管通过考虑杂质散射、光学声子和声学声子散射研究了其电流自振荡和瞬时电流形态,研究发现偏压和掺杂浓度会对电流自振荡频率产生很大影响,负有效质量p pp 二极管可以用作可电学调制的太赫兹源。此外,我们通过蒙特卡洛模拟对共振声子结构的太赫兹量子级联激光器进行了器件参数的优化,结果表明注入势垒宽度、掺杂浓度和声子抽取能级差设计对计算增益有很大的影响,我们的计算结果与实验结果一致。     

High Resolution Terahertz Spectroscopy with Quantum Cascade Lasers

High resolution terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool for laboratory purposes as well as for remote sensing in astronomy, planetary research, and Earth observation. THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are promising sources for implementation into THz spectrometers, in particular at frequencies above 3 THz, which is the least explored portion of the THz region. One application of QCLs in THz spectroscopy is in absorption spectrometers, where they can replace less powerful and somewhat cumbersome sources based on frequency mixing with gas lasers. Another one is using a QCL as local oscillator in a heterodyne spectrometer for remote sensing. This article will review the state-of-the art in high resolution THz spectroscopy with QCLs.     

Field emission monotron for THz emission

Small-signal negative conductance of a field emission monotron was calculated, which was considerably higher than that of a thermionic monotron due to strong bunching of emitted electrons in a field emission. The amplification constant of 28dB/mm is achieved at THz wave region by applying the monotron to a distributed amplifier and is sufficient to overcome power loss in a transmission line. In addition, a wide band frequency tunable electromagnetic wave source may be developed at THz wave region by providing a low loss microstrip line resonator with field emission array due to the gate voltage dependent phase constant of the line.     

Charge transport in superlattices with low-strength barriers and the problem of a terahertz bloch oscillator

Charge-transport properties of superlattices with low-strength barriers and the possibility of designing a Bloch oscillator based on these superlattices are discussed. A terahertz Bloch oscillator based on n-GaAs-GaAlAs structures with low-strength barriers is suggested. Because of interminiband tunneling, the current is an increasing function of electric-field strength, so that domains cannot be formed. At the same time, tunneling and Bloch oscillations give rise to dynamic negative electrical conductivity in the terahertz region. Monte Carlo simulations show that dynamic negative conductivity exists in the frequency range of 1–7 THz for superlattices with moderate charge-carrier mobility at 77 K. A Bloch oscillator should include a superlattice with 350–700 periods of 150-Å, with this superlattice being sandwiched between contact regions, which are in fact strip-line sections (the oscillator cavity). Presumably, such an oscillator can operate at 77 K in the continuous-wave mode.     

共振声子THz QCL有源区结构设计

利用Airy函数代换与传输矩阵方法精确计算了有外加偏压下电子在共振声子太赫兹量子级联激光器有源区单个周期内的透射系数与波函数,得到了不同偏压下的电子波函数分布以及准束缚态能级位置与外加偏压的关系曲线.在仿真计算的基础上设计了一种共振声子太赫兹量子级联激光器的有源区结构.计算结果表明,对于设计的结构,当单个周期两端的外加...     

Monolithically integrated two-dimensional arrays of surface-emitting photonic-crystal terahertz lasers

We demonstrate two-dimensional arrays of surface-emitting THz frequency photonic-crystal quantum cascade lasers covering a broad spectral range. The arrays are made of 16 unit elements, each of them spectrally single mode and featuring a narrow divergence emission pattern. The array emission frequencies cover a range of ≈0.2 THz around an emission frequency of ≈2.75 THz. Large size and small size devices have been developed. The former devices operate up to a maximum temperature of ≈90K with 2 to 3 mW output power in continuous wave regime.     

Spectral Properties of THz Quantum-Cascade Lasers: Frequency Noise, Phase-Locking and Absolute Frequency Measurement

Quantum cascade lasers combine desirable features, namely high optical power and compactness, as no other coherent source in the field of THz generation. While their maximum operating temperature is progressively increasing, getting close to the range accessible by Peltier cooling, their range of application is expanding into new fields, such us molecular spectroscopy and their use as local oscillators. These applications would benefit from the investigation and improvement of the laser coherence properties. In this contribution we report the exploitation of electro-optic coherent detection based on a near-IR frequency comb to measure the frequency noise of a free running 2.5 THz quantum cascade laser. An intrinsic linewidth quantum limit of ~230 Hz has been measured, in good agreement with the Schawlow-Townes theoretical prediction. The same detection scheme is then exploited to phase-lock the quantum cascade laser line to a multiple of the comb tooth spacing, while a second comb allows to precisely measure the THz frequency. Such a dual frequency comb experimental setup thus yields a narrow line THz emission traceable to a microwave frequency standard.     

太赫兹量子级联激光器有源区有限元模拟

采用有限元分析法解决了太赫兹量子级联激光器(THz QCL)有源区模拟问题。由于InP基差频THz QCL有源区为千层纳米结构,无法拆分实验探索,因此模拟分析显得尤为必要。首先列出有源区量子结构的薛定谔方程,而后采用Galerkin有限元法改写薛定谔方程,再根据连续性和边界条件,得到本征值矩阵方程,最后采用Matlab写出运算程序求解本征值矩阵方程,求出波函数。针对不同有源区量子结构,设定材料、组分、厚度和周期数及外加偏压等参数,即可得到波函数模方、能级、频率和波长等模拟结果。选取InP基差频THz QCL结构进行验证,结果表明此模型切实可行,其拓展应用也可以解决GaAs THz QCL模拟问题。     

High-Precise Spectrometry of the Terahertz Frequency Range: The Methods, Approaches and Applications

In the paper we present a high precise THz technique (frequency synthesizers and spectrometer) and its applications for noninvasive medical diagnostics and security systems. The cornerstone of the presented devices is multipliers and mixers based on quantum superlattice structures. The multipliers based on superlattice structures are shown to be more effective than Schottky diodes and provide THz radiation up to 8.1 THz.     

Electroluminescence from AlGaAs/GaAs quantum-cascade structures in the terahertz range

Electroluminescence from a quantum-cascade structure comprising 40 periods of GaAs/Al_0.15Ga_0.85As tunnel-coupled quantum wells (QW) was studied. A terahertz emission band in the range 1.0–1.8 THz is observed under bias exceeding 1.5–2.0 V. The emission band peak shifts linearly to higher frequency with the increasing bias. The effect is accounted for by spatially indirect electron transitions between states in the neighboring QWs.     

Low threshold THz QC lasers with thin core regions

It is demonstrated that the active region thickness of THz quantum cascade lasers can be reduced by a factor of 2 without effects on the threshold current density and maximum operating temperature of the laser. Pulsed and continuous-wave operation, with a low threshold J_th= 71 A/cm², are obtained for a 5.86 mum-thick THz QC laser. The emission is peaked at lambdasime115 mum and the waveguide resonator is based on a metal-metal geometry     

基于级联马赫-曾德尔调制器的太赫兹通信系统

为了有效解决太赫兹通信系统中信号难以调制,影响通信系统性能的问题,提出了一种基于级联马赫-曾德尔调制器的太赫兹通信系统。将要传递的伪随机不归零码与频率为10GHz的射频本振信号混频后调制到级联马赫-曾德尔调制器上,通过调节两个调制器的偏置电压,使其分别偏置在最大传输点和最小传输点上,得到的光载波信号经过光放大器放大,结合高非线性光纤的四波混频效应,利用相移布喇格光栅进行模式选择,经过光电转换后的太赫兹信号通过基带数据恢复,可以得出该太赫兹通信系统传输的误比特率。结果表明,基于级联马赫-曾德尔调制器结构可以将太赫兹信号的产生与调制结合到一起。该研究对太赫兹通信系统的实用化有一定借鉴意义。     

ZnO/ZnCdO和ZnO/ZnMgO超晶格的子带研究

ZnO是具有3.37 eV的宽禁带半导体材料,近年来引起了众多研究者的兴趣。Zn1-xCdxO和Zn1-xMgxO很好地实现了对ZnO能带的减小和增大。采用较为简单的一维K P势模型结合有效质量理论得到了ZnO/Zn1-xCdxO及ZnO/Zn1-xMgxO多量子阱的能量色散关系,以及子带的MeV跃迁与超晶格带阶、阱垒宽度之间的关系。将该多量子阱应用于太赫兹量子级联激光器(THz QCL)有源区,对粒子数反转和跃迁矩阵进行了相关讨论。     

Electrical domains and submillimeter signal generation in AlGaN/GaN superlattices

This paper discusses the feasibility of a terahertz-signal source made of an AlGaN/GaN superlattice. The negative differential conductivity, electrical domain formation, current oscillations, and power efficiency of a perspective source are described. The superlattice geometry and conduction band profile, which are distorted by polarization fields, are related to the oscillation frequency and power efficiency of the device. The optimal Al content, superlattice period, and the parameters of the external circuit that favor submillimeter wave generation are determined.