Integrated, portable, tunable, and coherent terahertz sources and sensitive detectors based on layered superconductors

Delfanazari, K., Klemm, R. A., Joyce, H. J., Ritchie, D. A. and Kadowaki, K. (2020) Integrated, portable, tunable, and coherent terahertz sources and sensitive detectors based on layered superconductors. Proceedings of the IEEE, 108(5), pp. 721-734. (doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2019.2958810)

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Abstract

Current compact emitter and receiver technologies are generally inefficient and impractical at terahertz (THz) frequencies between 0.1 and 10 THz. Hence, a gap exists between mature microwave and developed optical technologies. On-chip, integrated broadly tunable and powerful quantum sources that coherently radiate THz waves between 0.1 and 11 THz (potentially extendable to 15 THz) and with potential output power of >1 mW can be achieved based on quantum tunneling of electron pairs across the stack of intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs) naturally present in a single crystal of the layered high-T c superconducting Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ (BSCCO). Such devices have been found to be especially promising solid-state THz sources capable of bridging the entire THz gap, as their wide-frequency tunability range is superior to that obtained from their semiconducting-based rivals, either single resonant-tunneling diodes (RTDs) or THz-quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). Due to the unique electrodynamics of BSCCO, they can also be operated as switching current detectors, paving the way for the realization of on-chip THz-integrated circuits for applications in ultrahigh-speed telecommunications, quantum information, on-chip spectroscopy, and nondestructive sensing, testing, and imaging. This article reviews the history and recent advances in THz sources and detectors based on IJJs with a focus on the application of IJJ THz devices in THz spectroscopy and various types of THz imaging systems such as reflection, transmission, and computed tomography. We show that compact IJJ THz devices with sub-centimeter-sized modules are easy to use in many applications, as they can be regarded as pocket quantum THz torches.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Delfanazari, Dr Kaveh
Authors: Delfanazari, K., Klemm, R. A., Joyce, H. J., Ritchie, D. A., and Kadowaki, K.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Proceedings of the IEEE
Publisher:IEEE
ISSN:0018-9219
ISSN (Online):1558-2256
Published Online:06 January 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 IEEE
First Published:First published in Proceedings of the IEEE 108(5):721-734
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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