Analyzing Enhanced Terahertz-Pulse Power and Frequency Using a Field-Carrier Transport Approach

Author

Kirawanich, Phumin ; Yakura, S. Joe ; Baum, Carl E. ; Islam, Naz E.

Author_Institution

Electr. & Comput. Eng. Dept., Univ. of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO

Volume

7

fYear

2008

fDate

6/30/1905 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

725

Lastpage

728

Abstract

A finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) based simulation to analyze photocurrent generation and wave propagation inside photoconductive semiconductor switch antenna is described. The simulation incorporates the transient field redistribution, carrier generation characteristics, and field acceleration that contribute to the nonlinear behavior of terahertz-pulse generation following laser induced activation of the photoconductive switch. The study using this simulation approach shows that the antenna with a flare-angle electrode arrangement can effectively enhance the frequency range and the peak power of the generated terahertz (THz) pulses as compared to a typical dipole antenna.

Keywords

dipole antennas; finite difference time-domain analysis; photoconducting switches; semiconductor switches; terahertz wave generation; analyze photocurrent generation; carrier generation characteristics; dipole antenna; field acceleration; finite-difference time-domain; flare-angle electrode arrangement; photoconductive semiconductor switch antenna; photoconductive switch; terahertz-pulse generation; transient field redistribution; wave propagation; Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD); high-power photoconductive antenna; terahertz pulse generation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1536-1225

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LAWP.2008.2002878

Filename

4579733