THz distributed detectors and arrays

US9356170B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Wright State University · US

Inventors

• Elliott R. Brown · Beavercreek, US
• John Middendorf · Hurricane, US
• John S. Cetnar · West Manchester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 17, 2014
• Grant date: May 31, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) distributed detectors, and arrays of detectors that utilize structured surface plasmonic effects for more efficient coupling to free space are discussed. One example distributed detector includes a detector junction comprising a Schottky or tunneling interface between a semiconductor and a detector metal, an ohmic junction comprising an ohmic interface between the semiconductor and an ohmic metal, and a gap that separates the detector junction from the ohmic junction. Structured surface plasmons concentrate an electric field in the gap when the distributed detector is exposed to THz radiation polarized perpendicular to the gap.