A Tunable Terahertz Detector Based On Self Assembled Plasmonic Structure on a GaAs 2DEG

Abstract

Plasmonic detectors have the potential to provide a method of rapid spectroscopy without the need of moving mirrors or gratings. Previous measurements have demonstrated frequency tunable detection based on plasmonic excitations, however these devices were either small area, polarization dependent and/or required e-beam lithography. We demonstrate that large area high sensitivity THz plasmonic detection can be achieved using self-assembly nanosphere lithography. We achieve a submicron feature size grid covering a detector area of 4 mm^2. The absorbance at the fundamental, third and 5th harmonics of plasmon resonances are observed. Measurements at 80 K show a large transmission change of 25%. We also confirmed a magneto plasmon dispersion of this device. In this paper we will discuss the frequency dependence of the radiative damping effect which affects enhanced absorption at the higher harmonics mode relative to fundamental.