Large HgTe nanocrystals for THz technology

Whereas only few materials can address interband or intersublevel absorption in the THz range, some absorption features at high THz frequencies have been recently demonstrated in large HgTe nanocrystals (of typical size 200 nm) [1] . Indeed, important progress has been obtained on colloidal growth, leading to a better control on size and doping, resulting in a tunable long wavelength absorption peak at THz frequencies. Such HgTe nanocrystals are very attractive for applications since they are low cost and extremely easy to produce [2] . To exploit their potential for THz technology, it is crucial to investigate their optical properties in the full THz frequency range and to get knowledge on the relaxation dynamics of non-equilibrium carriers in these nanocrystals.