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Design of bias-free operational uni-traveling carrier photodiodes for terahertz wave generation

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Abstract

In this paper, the bias-free operational uni-traveling-carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) for terahertz wave generation is designed via physics-based simulation. The physics-based model is established at first and then the reliability of the simulation is demonstrated by comparison to previously reported experimental results. The epitaxial layers of the UTC-PD are analyzed and investigated to improve its bandwidth and output-power simultaneously. By optimizing the spacers and the collector, and using a combination of optimal graded-doping profile and graded-bandgap material for the absorber, the 3-dB bandwidth and the peaked output-power of the UTC-PD are improved by 36.5% and 2.262 dB, respectively. The 3-dB bandwidth of the optimized bias-free operational UTC-PD with mesa diameter of 8, 6, 5, 4 and 3-μm can achieve 106, 137.67, 158.3, 183 and 211 GHz, respectively.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Joint Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics and the Theory of Bivergentum and Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Information Optoelectronics and Nano-heterogeneous Structure. This work was funded by Natural National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (61574019, 61674018, 61274020), and the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality (No. 4132069).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, 100876, China

    Tao Liu, Yongqing Huang, Huijuan Niu, Jiarui Fei, Xiaokai Ma, Gang Wu, Kai Liu, Xiaofeng Duan & Xiaomin Ren

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  1. Tao Liu
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  2. Yongqing Huang
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  3. Huijuan Niu
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  4. Jiarui Fei
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  5. Xiaokai Ma
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  6. Gang Wu
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  7. Kai Liu
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  8. Xiaofeng Duan
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  9. Xiaomin Ren
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Correspondence to Yongqing Huang.

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Liu, T., Huang, Y., Niu, H. et al. Design of bias-free operational uni-traveling carrier photodiodes for terahertz wave generation. Opt Quant Electron 50, 284 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-018-1550-9

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