Optimization of the Operating Regime of Pb$_{1-x}$ Sn$_x$Te(In) Terahertz Photodetectors

We present results of an experimental study concentrated on performance optimization of highly sensitive Pb $_{1-x}$ Sn $_x$ Te(In) terahertz photodetectors perspective for applications in the terahertz astronomy. The optimization was reached trough variation of the regime of persistent photoconductivity quenching by radio-frequency pulses. It is demonstrated that the quenching effectiveness rises rapidly with decreasing the radio-frequency in a quenching pulse. In certain regimes, the quenching boosts the photoresponse after the end of the radio-frequency pulse. Possible mechanisms of the radio-frequency quenching of the terahertz persistent photoconductivity in Pb $_{1-x}$ Sn $_x$ Te(In) are discussed.