TERAHERTZ RADIATION SOURCES AND METHODS

摘要

The invention relates to improved terahertz radiation sources and associated methods. A terahertz radiation source is described, comprising: an emitter (202) comprising a semiconductor material (12) ; a pair of electrodes (204a, b) on a face of said semiconductor, said pair of electrodes defining a gap between said electrodes; a pulsed light source input for illuminating said semiconductor so as to generate terahertz readiation (210) in said semiconductor by the photoconductive creation of very short (femtosecond) electromagnetic pulses; and a radiation collector (212) to collect said terahertz radiation; and wherein said radiation collector is disposed on the same side of said semiconductor as said electrodes. A related method of providing terahertz radiation is also described.