The design and operation of TeraHertz sources based on silicon germanium alloys

Abstract

During the past few years, vigorous studies have begun on semiconductor devices that generate and detect frequencies from 0.3 - 10 TeraHertz (1000 30 /spl mu/m). Previous THz sources were based on electrical methods using transistor oscillators (to 0.5 THz), diode frequency multipliers (to 2.5 THz), and femtosecond optical pulse switches. Infrared emitters such as the Quantum Cascade Laser in the III-V semiconductors have been difficult to extend to THz frequencies due to reststrahlen absorption by polar phonons. In contrast, Si has lower absorption and devices may be able to operate over a broader THz range than the III-V semiconductors. This report describes the fabrication and characterization of THz sources based on three different design approaches: intersubband transitions in Silicon Germanium quantum wells, resonant state transitions in boron-doped strained SiGe quantum wells, and dopant impurity transitions in doped Si layers.