Photoconductive terahertz generation in semiinsulating GaAs and InP under the extremes of bias field and pump fluence

This work analyses photoconductive (PC) terahertz (THz) emitters based upon the semi-insulating (SI) forms of GaAs and InP. Dependencies of the emitters are studied under the extremes of bias field and pump fluence to reveal the underlying physics of charge carrier photoexcitation, transport, and emission. The bias field dependence shows that SI-GaAs PC THz emitters are preferentially subject to space-charge-limited current, under the influence of trap states, while SI-InP PC THz emitters are preferentially subject to sustained current, due to a prolonged charge carrier lifetime and the ensuing Joule heating. This leads to differing frontrunners for performance with respect to a critical bias field. The pump fluence dependence shows space-charge and near-field screening for all PC THz emitters, with SI-GaAs predisposed to near-field screening (under the influence of transient mobility) and SI-InP predisposed to spacecharge screening. Such findings can support a deeper understanding on the underlying physics and optimal performance of SI-GaAs and SI-InP PC THz emitters.Applied Science, Faculty ofEngineering, School of (Okanagan)ReviewedFacultyResearche