Experimental study of frequency multipliers based on a GaAs/AlAs semiconductor superlattices in the terahertz frequency range

Abstract

Frequency multipliers based on a GaAs/AlAs semiconductor quantum superlattice have been experimentally studied. The power spectrum of the harmonics in the output signal from a multiplier with an input-signal frequency of 140–160 GHz has been measured. Planar diodes with a small active region (an area of 1–2 μm2) have been used in this study. For fabrication of the diodes, structures of heavily doped superlattices with the miniband width 24 meV have been used, these structures were grown by the molecular-beam epitaxy method. Measurements have been conducted using a BOMEM DA3.36 Fourier spectrometer equipped with a detector based on a bolometer cooled to the temperature of liquid helium. The results of the measurements have been used to plot the dependences of the power of the harmonics on the frequency in the range from 0.4 to 8.1 THz. It has been found that the character of the microwave-power distribution over the number of harmonics is close to the spectrum of a sequence of sign-alternating pulses which appear in the diode circuit when the applied voltage of the input signal exceeds the threshold of the diode. The minimal time of establishment of the pulse front and pulse duration are equal to 123 and 667 fs, respectively.