Advanced Photoconductive Terahertz Optoelectronics Based on Nano-Antennas and Nano-Plasmonic Light Concentrators

High power sources and high sensitivity detectors are highly in demand for terahertz imaging and sensing systems. Use of nano-antennas and nano-plasmonic light concentrators in photoconductive terahertz sources and detectors has proven to offer significantly higher terahertz radiation powers and detection sensitivities by enhancing photoconductor quantum efficiency while maintaining its ultrafast operation. This is because of the unique capability of nano-antennas and nano-plasmonic structures in manipulating the concentration of photo-generated carriers within the device active area, allowing a larger number of photocarriers to efficiently contribute to terahertz radiation and detection. An overview of some of the recent advancements in terahertz optoelectronic devices through use of various types of nano-antennas and nano-plasmonic light concentrators is presented in this article.