Resonant detection and frequency multiplication of terahertz radiation utilizing plasma waves in resonant-tunneling transistors

We propose the use of a resonant-tunneling transistor with high mobility of electrons in its quantum-well channel as a detector and a frequency multip lier of terahertz radiation and analyze its characteristics. The combinatio n of strong nonlinearity of the resonant-tunneling current, negative differ ential conductivity, and excitation of plasma waves in the channel can prov ide higher performance of detectors and frequency multipliers based on the resonant-tunneling transistor compared to those considered previously. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)10517-1].