The dynamic range of THz broadband FET detectors

Field effect transistors are promising detectors of THz radiation. They operate at room temperatures have high responsivity, low noise equivalent power, and fast response time. However, their linearity (dynamic range) and possibility of their application in the domain of high power radiation has not been yet sufficiently studied. We have investigated room temperature field effect transistors, detection at frequencies from 0.3 to 3 THz with power up to 100 kW/cm 2 . Several types of HEMTs and MOSFETs operating in the broadband non resonant detection regime, have been investigated. To provide a wide range of incident THz radiation intensities we used continuous-wave and pulsed sources: backward oscillators, CO 2 pumped methanol laser, free electron laser, NH 3 , D 2 O, and CH 3 F lasers. We find that the photoresponse of HEMTs and MOSFETs is linear in radiation intensity up to a several kW/cm 2 and then it saturates. The onset of the saturation depends on the radiation frequency and the transistor type. The observed saturation behavior can not be explained by the existing theoretical model which predict a square root like dependence of the photoresponse. We tentatively attribute the unusual features of the photoresponse saturation observed at high intensities considering high electric field transport phenomena, e.g., electron heating and electron velocity saturation.