The in-plane photoelectric effect for terahertz detection in two- and quasi-one-dimensional electron systems

The in-plane photoelectric (IPPE) effect is a quantum phenomenon in 2D electron systems that can be used to efficiently detect THz radiation [1, 2]. In this effect, electrons absorb THz photons and jump onto an artificially created, electrically tunable potential step within the plane of a degenerate 2D electron gas. We show the experimental realization of this principle in photoelectric tunable-step (PETS) detectors, a new type of dual-gated antenna-coupled THz detectors exploiting the IPPE effect. The devices demonstrate a strong photoresponse, which can only be explained by the IPPE effect. We demonstrate key advantages that the 2D IPPE effect offers when compared to the conventional, 3D photoelectric effect. We also present our theoretical results on the IPPE effect in a 2D- and in a quasi-ID-electron system.