Current responsivity of semiconductor superlattice THz-photon detectors

Broadband semiconductor superlattice detector for THz radiation

We report on a broadband GaAs/AlAs superlattice detector for THz radiation; a THz field reduces the current through a superlattice, which is carried by miniband electrons, due to modulation of the Bloch oscillations of the miniband electrons. We studied the detector response, by use of a free electron laser, in a large frequency range ~5–12 THz!. The responsivity showed strong minima at frequen...

Semiconductor Photon Detectors

Semiconductor optical single-photon detectors

Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) connected with quenching circuits can be used for single photon detection. This semiconductor photon detector has a better performance than photomultiplier. The principles and applications of APDs are presented. Features, performance of different commercial devices are introduced and compared. Recent research progress based on the improvement of quenching circuits a...

Reflection of THz Radiation by a Superlattice

The dynamics of a charged particle in a superlattice under the action of an external electric field has been the subject of intense research [1–6]. Under different conditions, an electron is predicted to reveal a variety of time-dependent phenomena such as Bloch oscillations [1], Zener tunneling [2], self-induced transparency [3], miniband collapse [4], negative differential conductivity, and a...

Sequential tunneling current through semiconductor superlattices under intense THz radiation

Recent transport measurements in GaAs–GaAlAs superlattices under THz radiation show evidence of dynamical localization and electron pumping in the opposite direction to the dc bias in the linear response regime. The ac field induces absorption and emission processes in the multiwell structure which assist the tunnel and which are reflected as new features in the current density. A calculation w...