Plasmonic instabilities in two-dimensional electron channels of variable width

Understanding of fundamental physics of plasmonic instabilities is the key issue for the design of a new generation of compact terahertz electronic sources required for numerous terahertz (THz) applications. Variable width plasmonic devices have emerged as potential candidates for such an application. The analysis of the variable width plasmonic devices presented in this paper shows that these structures enable both the Dyakonov-Shur instability (when the electron drift velocity everywhere in the device remains smaller than the plasma velocity) and the ``plasmonic boom'' instability that requires drift velocity exceeding the plasma velocity in some of the device sections. For symmetrical structures, the driving current could be provided by an rf signal leading to rf to THz and THz to RF frequency conversion using the source and drain antennas and reducing losses associated with ohmic contacts. We show that narrow regions protruding from the channel (``plasmonic stubs'') could control and optimize boundary conditions at the contacts and/or at the interfaces between different device sections. These sections could be combined into plasmonic crystals yielding enhanced power and a better impedance matching. The mathematics of the problems is treated using the transmission line analogy. We show that the combination of the stubs and the variable width channels is required for the instability rise in an optimized plasmonic crystal. Our estimates show that THz plasmonic crystal oscillators could operate at room temperature.