ErAs:GaAs Photomixer With Two-Decade Tunability and 12 μW Peak Output Power

Authors

J. E. Bjarnason, University of California
T. L.J. Chan, University of California
A. W.M. Lee, University of California
Elliott R. Brown, Wright State University - Main CampusFollow
D. C. Driscoll, University of California
M. Hanson, University of California
A. C. Gossard, University of California
R. E. Muller, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2004

Identifier/URL

40226643 (Pure); 10044234165 (QABO)

Abstract

This letter reports the fabrication and demonstration of an ErAs:GaAs interdigitated photomixer as a tunable THz source ranging from ∼20GHzto∼2THz, with 12μW maximum power typically around ∼90GHz. Each photomixer is coupled to a composite dipole-spiral planar antenna that emits a Gaussian-type beam into free space. The beam switches from dipole to spiral antenna behavior as the frequency increases. A distributed Bragg reflector is embedded in the device beneath the photomixer to increase its external quantum efficiency. The photomixer has a 900Å thick silicon nitride coating which serves as an antireflection and passivation layer, and also improves the reliability and heat tolerance of the device.

Repository Citation

Bjarnason, J. E., Chan, T. L., Lee, A. W., Brown, E. R., Driscoll, D. C., Hanson, M., Gossard, A. C., & Muller, R. E. (2004). ErAs:GaAs Photomixer With Two-Decade Tunability and 12 μW Peak Output Power. Applied Physics Letters, 85 (18), 3983-3985.
https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/physics/1333

DOI

10.1063/1.1813635