Terahertz range quantum well infrared photodetector

We demonstrated a GaAs/AlGaAs-based far-infrared quantum well infrared photodetector at a wavelength of lambda=84 mum. The relevant intersubband transition is slightly diagonal with a dipole matrix element of 3.0 nm. At 10 K, a responsivity of 8.6 mA/W and a detectivity of 5x10(7) cm rootHz/W have been achieved; and successful detection up to a device temperature of 50 K has been observed. Being designed for zero bias operation, this device profits from a relatively low dark current and a good noise behavior. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.