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Proposing a refined and simplified equivalent circuit model for precise THz photoconductive antenna analysis

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Abstract

Equivalent circuit models (ECMs) are widely used to assess the photoconductive antennas (PCAs) performances in terahertz (THz) systems. However, an existing version, which has been vastly used as a reference in recent works, exhibits some inconsistencies. In this paper, we have investigated its physical behavior according to the antenna theory. Besides, we have demonstrated that the circuit element expressions are not accurate and can have an impact on the PCA evaluation based on this model. Moreover, we have illustrated that the direct deduction of antenna parameters (exciting current and radiated voltage) from the electrical circuit is not in line with the antenna theory. Then, a straightforward model for an accurate THz photoconductive antenna evaluation that is simple, clear, and without ambiguities, has been developed. The proposed ECM design models the physical phenomena in the PCA with direct lumped elements to make the interpretation easier. Additionally, an innovative direct relationship between the space charge screening voltage and the gap voltage has been demonstrated. Consequently, the developed differential equation for time-dependent gap voltage is simple to apply, and other circuit parameters are determined directly without any ambiguity. Furthermore, we have evaluated the PCA performance based on the proposed model. Finally, the proposed model results accuracy has been examined with comparison versus measurement results obtained from the analyzed model. Our proposed model provides a good agreement with experimental measurements, demonstrating its accuracy and effectiveness in assessing photoconductive antenna performances. Our findings contribute efficiently to the improvement of a more precise and reliable model for THz photoconductive antenna evaluation, presenting a valuable and simple model for future PCA designs and assessments.

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Data availability

Data sets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported as part of the NATO-SPS Programme Multi-Year Project: N# G5396.

Funding

This work is supported financially by the NATO-SPS Programme Multi-Year Project: N# G5396.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Systèmes Lasers, Ecole Militaire Polytechnique, BP 17, 16046, Bordj El-Bahri, Algiers, Algeria

    H. Zeraoula, D. Benyahia & M. Lazoul

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  1. H. Zeraoula
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  2. D. Benyahia
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  3. M. Lazoul
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Contributions

The following is a statement outlining the authors individual contribution to the work done in this paper through the relevant roles: I, the Ph.D. student Zeraoula Hamza contributes in this work by the research work ideation, data collection, analysis and interpretation, software programming support, and writing; Dr. Benyahia Djalal, contributes on the research work ideation, resources, analysis and interpretation of data, methodology, supervising, writing, and validation; Prof. Lazoul Mohamed contributed on the methodology, validation and supervision.

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Correspondence to H. Zeraoula.

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Zeraoula, H., Benyahia, D. & Lazoul, M. Proposing a refined and simplified equivalent circuit model for precise THz photoconductive antenna analysis. Opt Quant Electron 56, 1055 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-024-06984-6

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