Room temperature terahertz emission from grating coupled two-dimensional plasmons

Room temperature terahertz (far infrared) radiation emission from double grating coupled GaInAs/AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunctions is reported. Theoretical calculations of plasmon absorption spectrum are performed using a first principles electromagnetic approach. They correctly reproduce the frequency range and overall shape of the main (broad-band) part of the experimental spectra. The results clearly indicate that important part of the observed room temperature terahertz emission spectra can be due to the radiative decay of hot two-dimensional plasmons in the grating structure. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.