Ultrafast optoelectronic devices using laser-assisted field emission

Mark J. Hagmann

doi:10.1117/12.529769

16 June 2004 Ultrafast optoelectronic devices using laser-assisted field emission

Mark J. Hagmann

Proceedings Volume 5352, Ultrafast Phenomena in Semiconductors and Nanostructure Materials VIII; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.529769
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2004, 2004, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Field emission, quantum tunneling from the clean surface of a nanoscale conductor tip in vacuum, is an extremely fast process, where the instantaneous value of the current responds to the intense applied electric field with a delay of less than 2 fs. The cause for this intrinsic delay is shown to be the traversal time for quantum tunneling. Because the tip is much smaller than optical wavelengths, quasistatic conditions require that the potential of the tip must follow the instantaneous electric field in the imposed optical radiation. There is a resonance that is caused by virtual photon processes in which the electrons absorb single quanta from the radiation field while they are tunneling, to be promoted to energies where the wave function is reinforced by reflections at the classical turning points. Numerical solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation show that the transient response to pulsed radiation consists of beating of the radiation with this resonance, and is intensified by the resonance. Experiments show that when a field emission tube is used as a two-terminal device, by placing the load in the external bias circuit, the response to a pulsed laser is delayed by a time constant equal to the product of the load resistance and the electrode capacitance, typically 10-100 μs. Thus, other means for coupling are recommended, including propagation as surface waves on an extended tip and radiation from antennas formed on the tip, and these methods have been tested with microwave prototypes. Ultimately miniature multifunction devices could be built to implement this new technology because nanoscale field emission tubes are now available, and field emitter arrays with 10¹⁰ tips/cm² are used in flat panel displays.

Citation Download Citation

Mark J. Hagmann "Ultrafast optoelectronic devices using laser-assisted field emission", Proc. SPIE 5352, Ultrafast Phenomena in Semiconductors and Nanostructure Materials VIII, (16 June 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.529769

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