Plasma mechanisms of resonant terahertz detection in two-dimensional electron channel with split gates

We analyze the operation of a resonant detector of terahertz (THz) radiation based on a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel with split gates. The side gates are used for the excitation of plasma oscillations by incoming THz radiation and control of the resonant plasma frequencies. The central gate provides the potential barrier separating the source and drain portions of the 2DEG channel. Two possible mechanisms of the detection are considered: (1) modulation of the ac potential drop across the barrier and (2) heating of the 2DEG due to the resonant plasma-assisted absorption of THz radiation followed by an increase in thermionic dc current through the barrier. Using the device model we calculate the frequency and temperature dependences of the detector responsivity associated with both dynamic and heating (bolometric) mechanisms. It is shown that the dynamic mechanisms dominates at elevated temperatures, whereas the heating mechanism provides larger contribution at low temperatures, T=35-40 K.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Resonant plasmonic terahertz detection in graphene split-gate field-effect transistors with lateral p-n junctions

We evaluate the proposed resonant terahertz (THz) detectors on the base of field-effect transistors (FETs) with split gates, electrically induced lateral p-n junctions, uniform graphene layer (GL) or perforated (in the p-n junction depletion region) graphene layer (PGL) channel. The perforated depletion region forms an array of the nanoconstions or nanoribbons creating the barriers for the holes and electrons. The operation of the GL-FET- and PGL-FET detectors is associated with the rectification of the ac current across the lateral p-n junction enhanced by the excitation of bound plasmonic oscillations in in the p- and n-sections of the channel. Using the developed device model, we find the GL-FET and PGL-FET-detectors characteristics. These detectors can exhibit very high voltage responsivity at the THz radiation frequencies close to the frequencies of the plasmonic resonances. These frequencies can be effectively voltage tuned. We show that in PL-FET-detectors the dominant mechanism of the current rectification is due to the tunneling nonlinearity, whereas in PGL-FET-detector the current rectification is primarily associated with the thermionic processes. Due to much lower p-n junction conductance in the PGL-FET-detectors, their resonant response can be substantially more pronounced than in the GL-FET-detectors corresponding to fairly high detector responsivity.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure