THz emission from Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 Devices

Project Title: THz emission from Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

Principle Investigator: Richard Klemm

Project Description:
Most of the research conducted within the Klemm group is based upon calculations relevant to the THz emission from devices fabricated from single crystals of the highly-layered, high-temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi2212). From the regular stack of intrinsic Josephson junctions in Bi2212, the frequency of emission is proportional to the applied dc voltage per junction, and at specific cavity resonances that depend upon the geometric shape of the emitting device, the output power is significantly enhanced. The theoretical work is focused upon predicting the cavity resonances and the angular distribution of the emission power. This work could lead to the development of a new device for the self-detection of hidden breast and prostate cancers.