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We studied terahertz current oscillations induced by a frequency-tunable radiation source in a AlGaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure field effect transistor channel. A planar antenna was integrated on-chip, and a substrate lens was used for broadband coupling of free-space radiation at 0.18-0.72 THz to the channel ends. Through spectral analysis of the detection signal, we identified two different mixing mechanisms: one related to channel current oscillations and the other to modulation of the gate-to-channel potential. Depending on gate bias and radiation frequency, the two mechanisms either compete or cooperate, leading to responsivity up to 300 V/W and noise equivalent power of 1 nW/Hz0.5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated a two-dimensional-electron-gas field effect transistor with an asymmetric terahertz antenna connected to the channel terminals and a gate length of 1 μm. We investigated frequency mixing in the transistor's channel by measuring, with a quasi-optical setup, the heterodyne, second- and third-order subharmonic mixing signal at 0.592 THz. The dependence on the gate voltage and on the radiation power of both the local-oscillator and the radio-frequency signals was studied for all mixing orders. The conditions for full-plasmonic-mixing are fulfilled in our transistor at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]