Micromechanical field-effect transistor terahertz detectors with optical interferometric readout

Abstract

We investigate the response of the micromechanical field-effect transistors (MMFETs) to the impinging terahertz (THz) signals. The MMFET uses the microcantilevers (MC) as a mechanically floating gate and the movable mirror of the Michelson optical interferometer. The MC mechanical oscillations are transformed into optical signals and the MMFET operates as the detector of THz radiation with the optical output. The combination of the mechanical and plasmonic resonances in the MMFET with the optical amplification enables an effective THz detection.