Photoconductive emitters for pulsed terahertz generation

Abstract Conceived over 30 years ago, photoconductive (PC) emitters have proved essential in the development and spread of terahertz technology. Since then, not only have they been used extensively in a wide range of spectroscopic and imaging applications, they have also undergone significant improvements in performance, leading to their use for broadband or non-linear spectroscopy. In this review article, we provide an overview of the literature, highlighting the key milestones in the progression of the PC emitter. We also investigate the future of PC technology and review the existing challenges.