Monte Carlo simulation of the generation of terahertz radiation in GaN

The conditions for microwave power generation at low temperatures under optical phonon emission are analyzed by Monte Carlo simulations of both small- and large-signal responses in bulk zinc blende and wurtzite GaN. As a result of the high optical phonon energy and the strong interaction of electrons with optical phonons in GaN a general improvement on the transit-time resonance and a considerable increase in the maximum generation frequency and power can be achieved in comparison to the widely studied III–V materials such as GaAs and InP. A dynamic negative differential mobility caused by transit-time resonance occurs in a wide frequency range of about 0.05–3 THz and persists in the THz frequency range up to the liquid nitrogen temperature with doping levels up to about ${\text{5×10}}^{16} {\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{-3}}.$ The efficiency of the amplification and generation is found to depend nonmonotonously on static and microwave electric field amplitudes, generation frequency, and doping level so that for each generation frequency there exists an optimal range of parameter values. Under optimal conditions a generation efficiency of about 1% to 2% can be achieved in the 0.5–1.5 THz frequency range.