A terahertz photo-thermoelectric detector based on metamaterial absorber

A terahertz photo-thermoelectric (PTE) detector is proposed by integrating the metamaterial absorber with a metal thermocouple. The incident terahertz wave that is absorbed by the metamaterial absorber changes into heat, then the heat changes into electricity by using the metal thermocouple. The absorption performances, photo-thermal, and PTE conversion characteristics are investigated by the full vector finite element method. Simulation results show that the device can achieve near-perfect absorption in 1 THz, and exhibits a responsivity and noise equivalent power of 35 mV/W and 6.6x10(-6) W/Hz(1/2), respectively. Meanwhile, with the advantages of room-temperature workability, wide-angle, high responsivity, simple structure, and easy integration, the device has potential applications in terahertz photoelectric detection, sensing, and imaging.

Automated summary

The terahertz photo-thermoelectric detector proposed in this study combines a metamaterial absorber with a metal thermocouple to achieve efficient absorption and energy conversion of terahertz waves. The device shows near-perfect absorption at 1 THz and has potential applications in terahertz photoelectric detection, sensing, and imaging due to its advantages of room-temperature workability, wide-angle response, high responsivity, simple structure, and easy integration.