Low noise homodyne detection of terahertz waves by zero-biased InP/InGaAs Fermi-level managed barrier diode

Abstract

Homodyne detection of terahertz (THz) waves by a zero-biased Fermi-level managed barrier (FMB) diode was investigated for the first time to reveal its fundamental characteristics in the mixing detection. The lowest noise equivalent power of 1.6 × 10-17W/√Hz was obtained at 300 GHz with a very low local oscillator power of 5 × 10-7 W.