Wide-band-tunable photomixers using resonant laser-assisted field emission

Abstract

Simulations and experiments show a resonant interaction of tunneling electrons with a radiation field, and photomixing (optical heterodyning) in laser-assisted field emission can cause current oscillations from dc to 100 THz with this effect. Recent simulations by others are shown to be consistent with Fowler–Nordheim theory when the radiation is at low frequencies, and also confirm the existence of the resonance. The relationship of these simulations to photomixing is demonstrated, and estimates are given for the power of signals that could be obtained by this means.