Theoretical Analysis of Terahertz Detection of Resonant Tunneling Diodes

Abstract

We analyze the terahertz detection characteristics of resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) using a set of simple equations that covers three detection modes; (i) direct detection, (ii) amplified detection, and (iii) self-homodyne (coherent) detection. (i) and (ii) are based on the square-law detection, and (iii) is on the homodyne detection with the RTD used as an injection-locked local oscillator. The calculated results exhibit small- and large-signal areas depending on irradiation power. In the small-signal area, the detection current is proportional to irradiated power for (i) and (ii), and to square root of irradiated power for (iii). The detection current has a peak at the bias voltage at the boundary between (ii) and (iii). Effect of frequency fluctuation of irradiated wave is analyzed for (iii), and it is shown that the detection current is proportional to irradiated power if the fluctuation becomes wider than injection-locking range. The analytical results in this paper reasonably explain the reported experiments.