Electromagnetic radiation generating element, electromagnetic radiation generating device, and method of generating electromagnetic radiation

An electromagnetic radiation generating device that generates electromagnetic radiation from a plane surface, comprising:

• an electromagnetic radiation generating element including:
• a depletion layer forming body that forms a depletion layer by stacking a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer in a planar pattern;
• a light receiving surface electrode formed on one surface of said depletion layer forming body, the light receiving surface electrode including a plurality of parallel electrode parts that are equally spaced while a forming distance is maintained between the parallel electrode parts, the forming distance corresponding to the wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation generated from said depletion layer forming body;
• and a rear surface electrode formed on the opposite surface of said depletion layer forming body;
• a light irradiating unit that emits pulsed light toward said electromagnetic radiation generating element;
• and
• a reverse bias voltage applying circuit that applies a voltage to bring said depletion layer formed in said depletion layer forming body into a reverse biased condition through said light receiving surface electrode and said rear surface electrode.

A method of generating electromagnetic radiation from a plane surface, comprising the steps of:

• (a) emitting pulsed light;
• and
• (b) applying said pulsed light to an electromagnetic radiation generating element to generate electromagnetic radiation from a plane surface from the electromagnetic radiation generating element, the electromagnetic radiation generating element including:
• a depletion layer forming body that forms a depletion layer by stacking a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer in a planar pattern;
• a light receiving surface electrode formed on one surface of said depletion layer forming body;
• and a rear surface electrode formed on the opposite surface of said depletion layer forming body,
• said step (b) including the step of
• (b-1) applying a voltage to bring said depletion layer formed in said depletion layer forming body into a reverse biased condition through said light receiving surface electrode and said rear surface electrode.