Abstract
We present a high-performance terahertz emitter based on plasmonic photomixing antennas. By use of plasmonic antennas, a large portion of photocarriers can reach terahertz radiating elements within a fraction of a terahertz oscillation cycle, resulting in significantly higher optical-to-terahertz conversion efficiencies and terahertz radiation power levels compared to conventional photomixers. We experimentally demonstrate continuous-wave terahertz radiation with a radiation frequency tuning range of more than 2 THz and a radiation power of 17 μW at 1 THz, exhibiting a 3-fold higher radiation power level compared to the state-of-the art broadly tunable continuous-wave terahertz emitters.