High efficiency photomodulators for millimeter wave and THz radiation.

ABSTRACT: Photomodulators for mm-wave and THz radiation are an essential component for many imaging and signal processing applications. While a myriad of schemes have been devised to enhance photomodulation by enhancing the light-matter interaction, there has been less focus on the photoconductive materials themselves, which are often the limiting factor. Here, we present an approach to increase the photomodulation efficiency of silicon by orders of magnitude, using post treatment of off-the-shelf silicon wafers. The increase in efficiency removes the need for bulky and costly amplified laser sources, and creates the potential for compact and cost-effective modulators for real-world applications. By passivating the surfaces of long bulk-lifetime silicon wafers with Al₂O₃, the r

SUBMITTER: Hooper IR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6893041 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature