Terahertz single-photon detector and detection method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a terahertz single-photon detector and a detection method thereof. The terahertz single-photon detector comprises a semiconductor heterojunction, a detection electrode formed on the surface of the semiconductor heterojunction, a first quantum dot and a single-electronic gauge formed on the surface of the semiconductor heterojunction, wherein two-dimensional electron gas is formed on the surface of the semiconductor heterojunction; the detection electrode is used for collecting terahertz single photons; the terahertz single photons collected by the detection electrode are used for triggering the first quantum dot to carry unit positive charges; the single-electronic gauge is used for measuring the charge change of a static environment at the periphery of the single-electronic gauge, and is in capacitive coupling with the first quantum dot; and current in the single-electronic gauge is hopped by the unit positive charges carried by the first quantum dot. The terahertz single-photon detector can be used for detecting weak terahertz radiation and counting the terahertz single photons.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a terahertz single-photon detector and a detection method thereof, in particular to a terahertz single-photon detector formed by semiconductor quantum dots and a detection method thereof. Background technique [0002] Terahertz (THz, 1THz=10 12 Hz) band usually refers to the frequency range from 100 GHz to 10 THz, the corresponding wavelength is from 3 mm to 30 microns, and the electromagnetic spectrum range is quite wide between millimeter wave (submillimeter wave) and infrared light. The corresponding energy range of terahertz photons is 0.14meV to 41.4meV, which matches the low-frequency vibration and rotational energy range of molecules and materials, which determine the special position of terahertz waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and their transmission, scattering, reflection, Characteristics and applications that are significantly different from millimeter waves and infrared rays in terms of absorption and penetra...

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Problems solved by technology

[0004] (1) Using the nonlinear effect of electro-optic crystals for differential detection, this method has high sensitivity and can simultaneously detect THz radiation intensity and phase, but this detection can only be matched with a specific THz radiation generation method, and the volume is relatively Large, not easy to integrate with semiconductor device circuits, has great limitations

[0005] (2) Pyroelectric detectors, which have a low response rate in the terahertz frequency band, or need to work at the temperature of liquid helium, have slow response, and have no spectral resolution ability, so they cannot be applied to terahertz online detection and terahertz communication, etc. field

[0006] (3) Photon-type detectors, such as terahertz quantum well detectors, have the characteristics of fast response speed, high detection sensitivity and strong spectral resolution, but the dark current is large and cannot detect weak terahertz radiation

[0007] The above three types of terahertz detectors basically do not have single-photon accuracy at present, and cannot realize the sensitive detection of the extremely weak terahertz light radiated by objects

On the other hand, the current single-photon detectors generally work in the X-ray, ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared spectral regions, and are an indispensable and powerful means for detecting weak electromagnetic radiation. The main devices are photomultiplier tubes and Avalanche photodiodes, but the working principle of these devices determines that its operating frequency is difficult to drop to the terahertz region

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