Coupling 3-D Maxwell's and Boltzmann's equations for analyzing a terahertz photoconductive switch

• Published in: IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques Vol. 53; no. 9; pp. 2991 - 2998
• Main Authors: Sirbu, M., Lepaul, S.B.P., Aniel, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.09.2005; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Boltzmann equation; Boltzmann's equation; Carrier transport; Electric pulses; Electromagnetic modeling; Electronics; EMP radiation effects; Exact sciences and technology; Finite difference method; Finite difference methods; finite difference time domain (FDTD); Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Maxwell equations; Maxwell's equations; Microwaves; Optoelectronic devices; photoconductive switch (PS); Photoconductivity; Pulse generation; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Shape; Switches; Time domain analysis; Electric pulse; Transport equation; Boltzmann's equation; photoconductive switch (PS); Boltzmann equation; Finite difference time-domain analysis; Electromagnetic pulse; Numerical method; Maxwell's equations; Signalling; Equation system; Transport process; Three dimensional model; THz range; Photoconducting device; finite difference time domain (FDTD); Optoelectronic device; Diffusion equation; Photoconducting switches; Maxwell equation; Drift mobility
• ISSN: 0018-9480; 1557-9670
• DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2005.854228

We present a terahertz photoconductive switch analysis. We explain the mechanism that allows the generation of the electromagnetic pulse and the phenomena that model its shape. We outline the main parameters influencing the output "electric pulse." It is necessary to use a full-wave numerical model when the device signal rapidly varies in time. We use the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to solve the whole equation system (Maxwell's equations and drift-diffusion equations). The three-dimensional variable step mesh allows a realistic space step (25 nm) for the resolution of the carrier transport equations.