New THz emitter device concept based on lateral photo-dember currents

Abstract

A new concept for the generation of terahertz (THz) radiation is presented. Instead of accelerating carriers in an external bias field as state-of-the-art THz emitters generate THz radiation [1], the THz radiation is generated by lateral Photo-Dember currents induced by inhomogeneous optical excitation [2]. We prove the principle in the simplest geometry on GaAs.