High-sensitivity terahertz detector using two-dimensional electron gas absorber and tunnel junction contacts as a thermometer

Details High-sensitivity terahertz detector using two-dimensional electron gas absorber and tunnel junction contacts as a thermometer High-sensitivity terahertz detector using two-dimensional electron gas absorber and tunnel junction contacts as a thermometer

Jul 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006spie.6275e..55m&link_type=abstract

Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III. Edited by Zmuidzinas, Jonas; Holland, Wayne S.; W

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We describe a new type of terahertz (THz) detector for astronomical observation using a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) as the absorbing medium. The detection principle is based on the hot electron effect in 2DEGs. Electrons are heated by THz radiation and the electron temperature is read out by two symmetrical superconductor - 2DEG tunnelling junctions. Hot electrons are removed via tunnelling through a barrier into the superconducting contacts. The energy gap in the superconducting contacts prevents the escape of the colder, non-photoexcited electrons from the 2DEG. The high mobility 2DEG itself is created within AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure with a single quantum well. In this paper we present low temperature DC measurements of 2DEG detectors, and measurements of the electron-phonon thermal conductivity of a 2DEG at 4.2 K and 300 mK as a function of electron temperature and magnetic field (in the 4.2 K case). From these measurements we estimate the noise equivalent power (NEP) of an element in a filled array of S-2DEG-S detectors at 4.2 K to be on the order of ≈ 10-14W/√Hz with a response time of ≈ 1ns; at 300 mK, an NEP on the order of ≈ 10-19W/√Hz and a response time of ≈ 0.1μs. Using measured parameters for the normal resistance of the S-2DEG-S contacts, we calculate the effect of using a voltage bias to cool the electrons in the absorber to significantly below a 300 mK base temperature. In this configuration, S-2DEG-S detectors can achieve sufficient sensitivity to detect individual THz photons.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

High-sensitivity terahertz detector using two-dimensional electron gas absorber and tunnel junction contacts as a thermometer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with High-sensitivity terahertz detector using two-dimensional electron gas absorber and tunnel junction contacts as a thermometer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High-sensitivity terahertz detector using two-dimensional electron gas absorber and tunnel junction contacts as a thermometer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1893821