Photoconductive antenna, terahertz wave generating device, camera, imaging device, and measuring device

Abstract

A photoconductive antenna is adapted to generate terahertz waves when irradiated by pulsed light. The photoconductive antenna includes first and second conductive layers, a semiconductor layer, and first and second electrodes. The semiconductor layer is made of a semiconductor material having a carrier density that is lower than a carrier density of the semiconductor material of the first conductive layer or the second conductive layer. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second conductive layers, respectively. The semiconductor layer includes an incidence surface through which the pulsed light enters the semiconductor layer, and an emission surface from which the terahertz waves are emitted. The incidence surface is positioned in a side surface of the semiconductor layer having a normal direction extending orthogonal to a lamination direction, and the emission surface is positioned in the side surface at a position different from the incidence surface.