Experimental demonstration of direct terahertz detection at room-temperature in AlGaN/GaN asymmetric nanochannels

The potentialities of AlGaN/GaN nanodevices as THz detectors are analyzed. Nanochannels with broken symmetry (so called self switching diodes) have been fabricated for the first time in this material system using both recess-etching and ion implantation technologies. The responsivities of both types of devices have been measured and explained using Monte Carlo simulations and non linear analysis. Sensitivities up to 100 V/W are obtained at 0.3 THz with a 280 pW/Hz1/2 noise equivalent power.