Uncooled antenna-coupled terahertz detectors with 22μs response time based on BiSb/Sb thermocouples

We report on fast terahertz detectors based on antenna-coupled BiSb/Sb thermoelements operating at room temperature. A response time of the thermocouples as low as 22 μs and a NEP of 170 pW/sqrt(Hz) at 1 kHz modulation frequency is measured in air at room temperature. The integration capability of these mass producible devices enables large-scale detector arrays for real-time terahertz imaging applications. Due to the fast response time multiplexing of the detectors can be used to reduce the required readout circuits.