Ultrafast detection and autocorrelation of picosecond THz radiation pulses with a GaAs/AlAs superlattice

We used a wide miniband GaAs/AlAs superlattice (at room temperature) for detection and autocorrelation of picosecond THz radiation pulses (frequency 4.3 THz) from a free-electron laser. The detection was based on a THz-field induced change in conductivity of the superlattice, and the correlation on the nonlinearity of the conductivity change at strong THz-pulse-power. The nonlinear conductivity change was due to two effects, which we attribute to dynamical localization of miniband electrons and to ionization of deep impurity centers.