Terahertz (THz) air-biased-coherent-detection (ABCD) uses a local oscillator to enhance THz-wave detection sensitivity by mixing an optical field, a THz field, and a biased electric field (local oscillator) in air. The width of the electrodes providing the local oscillator, the longitudinal distribution of the optical and THz waves, both play important roles in the overall detection sensitivity. By analyzing the effect of the Gouy phase shift on the electric field distribution at the mixing location, we determine the optimal electrode width and observe an enhancement of the detection efficiency by a factor of two relative to the traditional THz-ABCD system using thin-wire electrodes.
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