The interactions between carriers and fields in semiconductors at low frequencies (<100 GHz) can be adequately described by
numerical solution of the Boltzmann transport equation coupled with Poisson’s equation. As the frequency approaches the THz
regime, the quasi-static approximation fails and full-wave dynamics must be considered. Here, we review recent advances in
global modeling techniques—numerical techniques that couple carrier dynamics with full wave dynamics. We focus on the coupling
between the stochastic ensemble Monte Carlo (EMC) simulation of carrier transport and the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD)
solution to Maxwell’s curl equations. We discuss the stability and accuracy requirements for different types of high-frequency
excitation (wave illumination vs.
ac bias), and present simulation results for the THz-regime conductivity of doped bulk silicon, ultrafast carrier dynamics and
radiation patterns in GaAs filaments, and the
ac response of GaAs MESFETs.
Keywords Global modeling - THz conductivity - Microwave devices - EMC-FDTD - Monte Carlo simulation