Development of room temperature operation InAs-based THz wave detectors

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K14673
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Electron device/Electronic equipment
• Research Institution: Osaka Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Masatoshi Koyama 大阪工業大学, 工学部, 講師 (30758636)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 非線形電流電圧特性 / InAs / 極微構造 / 2乗検波

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research was carried out with the aim of developing a terahertz wave detection device with high sensitivity, wide operating frequency, fast response speed, zero bias, and room temperature operation. Focusing on a micro-mesa structure with an asymmetric bowtie-shaped antenna that has non-linear current-voltage characteristics, we made this on an InAs thin film and evaluated a non-linear current-voltage characteristic that are required for square-law detection. As a result, we obtained nonlinear current-voltage characteristics that were caused by the rise of electron temperature due to electric field concentration in a neck structure in which the electric field strength is strong. Although we could not carry out a detection experiment under terahertz wave irradiation, we believe that detection can be expected from the non-linear current-voltage characteristics obtained with the prototype device.

Free Research Field

化合物半導体デバイス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

テラヘルツ波は、空港のセキュリティーゲートでの金属探知、美術品の修復作業での非破壊検査、癌細胞の検知など多方面で応用が期待されている。しかしながら、テラヘルツ波の検出方法の選択肢はそれほど多くないことから、新たな検出デバイスを探索することは、学術的・社会的な意義が大きい。本研究では、これまで報告例が少ない非対称なボウタイ形状アンテナを持つ極微メサ構造に注目し、これまで検討されてこなかったInAs薄膜にこの特異な構造を作製し、検出に必要な非線形な電流電圧特性が得られることを示した。