Microwave Generation in Synchronized Semiconductor Superlattices

Abstract

$E\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}m\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}g\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t$ $p\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}h\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}m\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a$ result from cooperative behavior that cannot be observed in a system's individual components. Interest in understanding and harnessing such phenomena cuts across many fields of research. Here the authors demonstrate that, in an array of miniband semiconductor superlattices connected only via their substrate, self-organized synchronization of current oscillations can dramatically boost the microwave power output. Their experiments and theory suggest a solution to the longstanding problem of boosting the power output of solid-state generators in the subterahertz-to-terahertz regime.