Terahertz Focal Plane Arrays

Recent advances in THz-source stability, power and practicality have opened the door for active THz imaging in both commercial and military settings. AEgis is teaming with U Buffalo to develop a THz detection device that utilizes classical rectification effects in semiconductor point contacts (SPCs) to achieve response in the 1 to 10 THz range and is capable of operating at temperatures over 150 K. The technology be fabricated in a video-rate focal plane array (FPA) capable of spanning this frequency range. The principle of operation is based on rectification of a gate voltage by THz radiation. This detection technique has advantages that include extremely fast operation (ns response time), excellent bandwidth and wide frequency coverage. The project will addresses critical technology gaps including: (1) Demonstration of the SPC above 150 K by measuring nonlinear I/V response and applying readout amplification techniques, (2) Expand the current frequency sensitivity of the SPC to meet the broadband requirements (1 to 10 THz) by incorporating a novel fractal antenna design, and (3) showing the extensibility of the device design and readout electronics to produce a FPA using SPC pixels. BENEFIT: The objective of this proposal is to develop a THz detection device that utilizes classical rectification effects in semiconductor point contacts (SPCs) to achieve response in the 1 to 10 THz range, that is capable of operating at temperatures over 150 K, and which can be fabricated in a video-rate focal plane array (FPA) capable of spanning this frequency range. The principle of operation is based on rectification of a gate voltage by THz radiation. This novel detection technique has the ability to outperform other sensor technologies in this frequency regime with advantages that include extremely fast operation (ns response time), excellent bandwidth and wide frequency coverage.