EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L52529/01
Title: OPTICALLY PUMPED TERAHERTZ EMMITTERS
Principal Investigator: Kelsall, Professor RW
Other Investigators:
Harrison, Professor P
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 1997 Ends: 30 June 1999 Value (£): 77,156
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Emission form quantum well intersubband transitions in n-type GaAs/AlGaAs and GaInAs/AlInAs structures will be harnessed to generate radiation in the range of 1-8thz (300-40 microns). Devices operating in this frequency range promise an intrinsic advantage in that the intersubband separation is less than the LO phonon energy, thus implying suppression of non-radiative (phonon-mediated) transitions. Population inversion will be generated by intersubband or interband optical pumping, which allows use of relatively simple layer structures, and avoids difficulties with tunnelling-mediated electron injection and free carrier absorption. A realistic device simulator will be developed, using an ensemble Monte Carlo method, which will give picosecond resolution of the carrier dynamics, including a microscope description of all relevant carrier phonon and carrier-carrier scattering processes, thus enabling device optimisation to maximise population inversion and quantum efficiency. Intersubband energy levels and lifetimes will be measured by FIR absorption and free electron laser spectroscopy (at the FELIX facility in Holland), and used to validate the simulation model. Continuous feedback of experimental and simulation results will be maintained to optimise the layer design and device geometry. Devices will be monitored for terahertz radiation emission using spectrometer systems with sub-nanowatt sensitivity.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk