Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds using a Single Transistor Terahertz Detector Implemented in Standard BiCMOS Technology

Terahertz (THz) wave absorption spectroscopy has distinct advantages over other methods for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this paper, we present an integrated plasma wave field effect transistor (FET) detector for THz wave radiation, implemented in absorption spectroscopy sensing of VOCs. The usable frequency range of the detector is 225-255 GHz and is limited by the bandwidth of the receiving stacked patch antenna. The rotational gas spectra for a simple Volatile Organic Compound, methanol (CH
₃
OH) is demonstrated as a proof of concept and the absorption spectrum is compared to a commercially available Schottky diode detector.