Strong interference enhancement of terahertz emission from a photoexcited semiconductor surface.

To enhance terahertz emission from an optically excited semiconductor surface, we propose to sandwich a thin (as compared to the terahertz wavelength) semiconductor layer between a dielectric hyperhemispherical lens and metal substrate. The layer is excited through the lens. The substrate provides constructive interference of terahertz waves emitted to the lens directly from the layer and reflected by the substrate. The lens outcouples terahertz radiation into free space. For InAs layer sandwiched between MgO (or sapphire) lens and metal substrate, our theory predicts order of magnitude increase in the terahertz yield as compared to the previous schemes of terahertz emission from semiconductor surfaces.