Terahertz radiation of Bloch oscillators excited by an electromagnetic field in lateral semiconductor superlattices

The action of a strong high-frequency electromagnetic field on a lateral semiconductor superlattice is considered based on the quasi-classical electron transport theory in the self-consistent wave formulation. The theory predicts that a lateral superlattice can emit terahertz radiation wave trains, which are associated with periodic excitation of Bloch oscillations in the superlattice arising because of the development of transient processes in it in a variable self-consistent electric field. The conditions necessary for observing Bloch oscillator radiation were found. The spectral composition of radiation transmitted through the superlattice and the energy efficiency of frequency multiplication related to Bloch oscillator excitation were calculated. (C) 2003 MAIK "Nauka / Interperiodica".