Design of a sub-terahertz sensor using the electro-optic effect in a semiconductor microcavity

Y Yukihiro Harada T Takahiro Kitada (National Institute of Technology, Matsue College 2 , 14-4 Nishi-Ikumacho, Matsue, Shimane 690-8518,) Y Yasuo Minami (College of Industrial Technology, Nihon University 3 , 1-2-1 Izumi-cho, Narashino, Chiba 275-8575,) T Toshiyuki Kaizu (Quantum Future Creative Device Development Center, The University of Electro-Communications 4 , 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585,) O Osamu Kojima (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology 1 , 2-17-1 Tsudanuma, Narashino, Chiba 275-0016,) T Takashi Kita O Osamu Wada (Office for Academic and Industrial Innovations (OACIS), Kobe University 6 , 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501,)

Abstract

We present design guidelines for a sub-terahertz (THz) sensor based on a semiconductor microcavity probed by transmission using 1.5 μm light. A 3λ cavity made of an InAs/GaAs quantum dot superlattice (QDSL) structure sandwiched between two GaAs/AlAs distributed Bragg reflectors is considered, and we predict a THz detection limit of ∼10 kV/m for a cavity quality factor of ∼1000 and an electro-optic coefficient of the cavity layer that is 20 times larger than that of GaAs. We show that such a sensor can provide relatively large phase-shift signals even when the QDSL structure does not extend over the entire cavity region; it is sufficient to form a relatively thin QDSL region at each antinode of the optical electric field inside the cavity.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 139, Issue 15
Published April 21, 2026
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

Y

Yukihiro Harada

T

Takahiro Kitada

National Institute of Technology, Matsue College 2 , 14-4 Nishi-Ikumacho, Matsue, Shimane 690-8518,

Y

Yasuo Minami

College of Industrial Technology, Nihon University 3 , 1-2-1 Izumi-cho, Narashino, Chiba 275-8575,

T

Toshiyuki Kaizu

Quantum Future Creative Device Development Center, The University of Electro-Communications 4 , 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585,

O

Osamu Kojima

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology 1 , 2-17-1 Tsudanuma, Narashino, Chiba 275-0016,

T

Takashi Kita

O

Osamu Wada

Office for Academic and Industrial Innovations (OACIS), Kobe University 6 , 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501,