Broadband and low NEP terahertz-wave detection using pre-amplifier-integrated Fermi-level managed barrier diode

A Fermi-level managed barrier diode was integrated with a current-input pre-amplifier to achieve broadband and low noise THz-wave detection. The fabricated quasi-optical module demonstrated signal detection at frequencies from 160 GHz to 1.4 THz. A peak voltage sensitivity as high as 3.2 MV/W was obtained at 300 GHz with a good linearity, wide dynamic range of more than five decades, and very low noise-equivalent-power (NEP) of 3.0 pW/VHI.