Graphene-based fast hot-electron bolometer with bandwidth from THz to VIS

We present a fast detector (rise time 40 ps) operating at room temperature that is capable to detect radiation from the THz to visible spectral range (demonstrated wavelengths 500 µm – 780 nm) [1]. The detector consists of a CVD-grown graphene flake contacted by a broadband logarithmic periodic antenna. SiC acts as a substrate material that does not interfere with the detection mechanism in the desired frequency range, even within the Reststrahlen band of SiC (6 – 12 µm). The detector is ideal for timing purposes. Near infrared (mid- and far infrared) pulse energies of the order of 10 pJ (1 nJ) are sufficient to obtain good signal-to-noise ratios. We suggest that the bandwidth is limited by the antenna dimensions (typically several mm) on the long wavelength side and by the bandgap of SiC (380 nm) on the short wavelength side. [1] M. Mittendorff et al., Opt. Express 23, 28728 (2015).