arXiv subjects

Michael Shur

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Shur.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Frequency multiplication in Terahertz band using AlGaN/GaN plasmonic crystals

The plasma oscillations in high-mobility field-effect transistors (HEMTs) have emerged as a key physical mechanism for manipulating electromagnetic radiation in the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) and THz frequency ranges. These collective electron excitations can be excited and tuned electrically offering a compelling route to compact, integrable components for a wide range of next-generation technologies, including sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks, high-resolution biomedical and chemical spectroscopy, industrial process monitoring, and advanced security and defense systems. For these applications, plasmonic crystals -- periodic arrays of many strongly coupled FET channels -- are particularly promising. In this work, we report on a new class of collective excitations in plasmonic crystals termed rotonic plasmons, which arise at plasmonic mode crossings and exhibit a parabolic dispersion law reminiscent of soft-mode and roton-like spectra. We show that uniform gate modulation across plasmonic crystal unit cells induces periodic variations in the sheet carrier concentration and, consequently, in the plasma frequency. This time-periodic modulation drives nonlinear plasmonic parametric resonances enabling RF-to-THz conversion. By solving the generalized Mathieu equation with damping, we demonstrate that high-amplitude gate pumping enables frequency multiplication and, at cryogenic temperatures (77K) leads to parametric instabilities due to enhanced electron mobility. In plasmonic crystals with lower mobility, RF-to-THz conversion can instead be realized via periodic short-pulse excitation, a regime we introduce as Time-Domain Frequency Multiplication (TDFM). Investigation of AlGaN/GaN low-high plasmonic crystals confirm their potential as tunable, compact THz sources.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Compact SPICE model for TeraFET resonant detectors

This paper presents an improved compact model for TeraFETs employing a nonlinear transmission line approach to describe the non-uniform carrier density oscillations and electron inertia effects in the TeraFET channels. By calculating the equivalent components for each segment of the channel: conductance, capacitance, and inductance, based on the voltages at the segment's nodes, our model accommodates non-uniform variations along the channel. We validate the efficacy of this approach by comparing terahertz (THz) response simulations with experimental data and MOSA1, EKV TeraFET SPICE models, analytical theories, and Multiphysics simulations.

eess.SP↗

arXiv2022

THz detection and amplification using plasmonic Field Effect Transistors driven by DC drain currents

We report on the numerical and theoretical results of sub-THz and THz detection by a current-driven InGaAs/GaAs plasmonic Field-Effect Transistor (TeraFET). New equations are developed to account for the channel length dependence of the drain voltage and saturation current. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the effect of drain bias current on the source-to-drain response voltage (dU) varies with the device channel length. In a long-channel TeraFET where plasmonic oscillations cannot reach the drain, dU is always positive and rises rapidly with increasing drain current. For a short device in which plasmonic oscillations reach the drain, the current-induced nonuniform electric field leads to a negative response, agreeing with previous observations. At negative dU, the amplitude of the small-signal voltage at the drain side becomes larger than that at the source side. Thus, the device effectively serves as a THz amplifier in this condition. Under the resonant mode, the negative response can be further amplified near the resonant peaks. A new expression of dU is proposed to account for this resonant effect. Based on those expressions, a current-driven TeraFET spectrometer is proposed. The ease of implementation and simplified calibration procedures make it competitive or superior compared with other TeraFET-based spectrometers.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

High Brightness Lasing at Sub-micron Enabled by Droop-Free Fin Light-Emitting Diodes

Efficiency droop, i.e., a decline in brightness of LEDs at high electrical currents, has limited the performance of all commercially available LEDs. Until now, it has limited the output power of sub-micron LEDs and lasers to nanowatt range. Here we present a fin p-n junction LED pixel that eliminates efficiency droop, allowing LEDs brightness to increase linearly with injected current. With record current densities of 1000 KA/cm2 (100 mA), the LEDs transition to lasing within the fin, with high brightness. Despite a light extraction efficiency of only 15%, these devices exceed the output power of any previous electrically-driven sub-micron LED or laser pixel by 100 to 1000 times, while showing comparable external quantum efficiencies. Modeling suggests that spreading of the electron-hole recombination region in fin LEDs at high injection levels suppresses the non-radiative Auger recombination processes. Further refinement of this design is expected to enable development of a new generation of high brightness electrically addressable LED and laser pixels for macro- and micro-scale applications.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

Plasmonic FET Terahertz Spectrometer

We show that Si MOSFETs, AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, AlGaAs/InGaAs HEMTs, and p-diamond FETs with feature sizes ranging from 20 nm to 130 nm could operate at room temperature as THz spectrometers in the frequency range from 120 GHz to 9.3 THz with different subranges corresponding to the transistors with different features sizes and tunable by the gate bias. The spectrometer uses a symmetrical FET with interchangeable source and drain with the rectified THz voltage between the source and drain being proportional to the sine of the phase shift between the voltages induced by the THz signal between gate-to-drain and gate-to-source. This phase difference could be created by using different antennas for the source-to-gate and drain-to gate contacts or by using a delay line introducing a phase shift or even by manipulating the impinging angle of the two antennas. The spectrometers are simulated using the multi-segment unified charge control model implemented in SPICE and ADS and accounting for the electron inertia effect and the distributed channel resistances, capacitances and Drude inductances.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2019

TCAD modeling for SiGe HBT THz detectors

Terahertz (THz) response of transistor and integrated circuit yields important information about device parameters and has been used for distinguishing between working and defective transistors and circuits. Using a TCAD model for SiGe HBTs we simulate their current-voltage characteristics and their response to sub-THz (300\,GHz) radiation. Applying different mixed mode schemes in TCAD, we simulated the dynamic range of the THz response for SiGe HBTs and showed that it is comparable with that of the TeraFET detectors. The HBT response to the variations of the detector design parameters are investigated at different frequencies with the harmonic balance simulation in TCAD. These results are useful for the physical design and optimization for the HBT THz detectors and for the identification of faulty SiGe HBT and Si BiCMOS circuits using sub-THz or THz scanning.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2019

Terahertz Plasmonic Detector Controlled by Phase Asymmetry

We demonstrate that phase-difference between terahertz signals on the source and drain of a field effect transistor (a TeraFET) induces a plasmon-assisted dc current, which is dramatically enhanced in vicinity of plasmonic resonances. We describe a TeraFET operation with identical amplitudes of radiation on source and drain antennas but with a phase-shift-induced asymmetry. In this regime, the TeraFET operates as a tunable resonant polarization-sensitive plasmonic spectrometer operating in the sub-terahertz and terahertz range of frequencies. We also propose an effective scheme of a phase-sensitive homodyne detector operating in a phase-asymmetry mode, which allows for a dramatic enhancement of the response. These regimes can be implemented in different materials systems including silicon. The p-diamond TeraFETs could support operation in the 200 to 600 GHz atmospheric windows.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Single TeraFET Radiation Spectrometer

The new TeraFET design with identical source and drain antennas enables a tunable resonant polarization-sensitive plasmonic spectrometer operating in the sub-terahertz and terahertz (THz) range of frequencies at room temperature. It could be implemented in different materials systems including silicon. The p-diamond TeraFETs support operation in the 200 to 600 GHz windows.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2016

Low-Frequency Electronic Noise in Exfoliated Quasi-1D TaSe3 van Der Waals Nanowires

We report results of investigation of the low-frequency electronic excess noise in quasi-1D nanowires of TaSe3 capped with quasi-2D h-BN layers. Semi-metallic TaSe3 is a quasi-1D van der Waals material with exceptionally high breakdown current density. It was found that TaSe3 nanowires have lower levels of the normalized noise spectral density, compared to carbon nanotubes and graphene. The temperature-dependent measurements revealed that the low-frequency electronic 1/f noise becomes the 1/f^2-type as temperature increases to about 400 K, suggesting the onset of electromigration (f is the frequency). Using the Dutta- Horn random fluctuation model of the electronic noise in metals we determined that the noise activation energy for quasi-1D TaSe3 nanowires is approximately E_P=1.0 eV. In the framework of the empirical noise model for metallic interconnects, the extracted activation energy, related to electromigration, is E_A=0.88 eV, consistent with that for Cu and Al interconnects. Our results shed light on the physical mechanism of low-frequency 1/f noise in quasi-1D van der Waals semi-metals and suggest that such material systems have potential for ultimately downscaled local interconnect applications.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Suppression of 1/f Noise in Near-Ballistic h-BN-Graphene-h-BN Heterostructure Field-Effect Transistors

We have investigated low-frequency 1/f noise in the boron nitride - grapheme - boron nitride heterostructure field - effect transistors on Si/SiO2 substrates (f is a frequency). The device channel was implemented with a single layer graphene encased between two layers of hexagonal boron nitride. The transistors had the charge carrier mobility in the range from 30000 to 36000 cm2/Vs at room temperature. It was established that the noise spectral density normalized to the channel area in such devices can be suppressed to 5 x 10^-9 μm2 Hz^-1, which is a factor of x5 - x10 lower than that in non-encapsulated graphene devices on Si/SiO2. The physical mechanism of noise suppression was attributed to screening of the charge carriers in the channel from traps in SiO2 gate dielectric and surface defects. The obtained results are important for the electronic and optoelectronic applications of graphene.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Cultural Preferences to Color Quality of Illumination of Different Objects

The preferences to color quality of illumination were investigated for American and Chinese subjects using a solid-state source of white light with the continuously tunable color saturation ability and correlated color temperature of quadrichromatic blends. Subjects were asked to identify both most natural and preferred blends. For very familiar objects, cultural differences did not affect the average of the selected blends. For less familiar objects (various paintings), cultural differences in the average selected blends depended on the level of the familiarity of the content. An unfamiliar painting also showed preferences to color temperature being dependent on the cultural background. In all cases, the American subjects exhibited noticeably wider distributions.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Graphene Thickness-Graded Transistors with Reduced Low-Frequency 1/f Noise

We demonstrate graphene thickness-graded transistors with high electron mobility and low 1/f noise (f is a frequency). The device channel is implemented with few-layer graphene with the thickness varied from a single layer in the middle to few-layers at the source and drain contacts. It was found that such devices have electron mobility comparable to the reference single-layer graphene devices while producing lower noise levels. The metal doping of graphene and difference in the electron density of states between the single-layer and few-layer graphene cause the observed noise reduction. The results shed light on the noise origin in graphene.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

1/f Noise in Thin Films of Topological Insulator Materials

We report results of investigation of the low-frequency excess noise in device channels made from topological insulators - a new class of materials with a bulk insulating gap and conducting surface states. The thin-film bismuth selenide samples were prepared by the "graphene-like" mechanical exfoliation from bulk crystals. The fabricated four-contact devices had linear current - voltage characteristics in the low-bias regime. The current fluctuations had the noise spectral density proportional to 1/f for the frequency f below 10 kHz. The noise spectral density followed the quadratic dependence on the drain - source current. The obtained data is important for planning transport experiments with topological insulators. We suggest that achieving the pure topological insulator phase with the current conduction through the "protected" surface states can lead to noise reduction via suppression of certain scattering mechanisms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗