Generation of terahertz radiation using zinc oxide as photoconductive material excited by ultraviolet pulses

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) radiation generated from photoconductive antenna fabricated on a single crystal zinc oxide (ZnO) is presented. The THz-radiation power is saturated at bias voltages above 800 Vcm and the obtained spectrum extends up to 1 THz. Moreover, ZnO is found to be highly transparent in the visible, near-infrared, mid-infrared and THz frequency regions. The results depicted here will categorically unravel the prospects of using ZnO as a material for integrated active optics. © 2005 American Institute of Physics