Vertically illuminated TW-UTC photodiodes for terahertz generation

Paper in proceeding, 2010

More efficient continuous-wave photonic nearinfrared mixers as terahertz sources are investigated with the motivation to develop a universal photonic local oscillator for astronomical submillimeter/terahertz receiver systems. For this, we develop new concepts for vertically illuminated traveling-wave (TW) photomixers, TW Uni-Travelling Carrier (UTC) photodiodes. Device simulation/modeling and optical/terahertz testing is being done in the new terahertz photonics laboratory at the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Chile, whereas device fabrication is performed at the MC2 cleanroom facility at Chalmers Technical University. We report on first progress in this direction.