Resonant detection of microwave radiation in a circular two-dimensional electron system with quantum point contacts

Abstract

We demonstrate that a two-dimensional electron system with a circular mesa and with quantum point contacts along its periphery is an attractive device geometry for the resonant detection of electromagnetic radiation in the millimeter and microwave region. Its operation relies on the resonant excitation of edge magnetoplasmons and the quantum point contacts serve as rectifying elements. The resonant response can be tuned easily across a broad frequency range, for instance, by altering the magnetic field, the electron density or the radius of the disk shaped mesa.