Terahertz quantum cascade laser sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation

Karun Vijayraghavan; Augustinas Vizbaras; Robert W. Adams; Min Jang; Christian Grasse; Gerhard Boehm; Markus C. Amann; Mikhail A. Belkin

doi:10.1117/12.929343

15 October 2012 Terahertz quantum cascade laser sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation

Karun Vijayraghavan, Augustinas Vizbaras, Robert W. Adams, Min Jang, Christian Grasse, Gerhard Boehm, Markus C. Amann, Mikhail A. Belkin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8496, Terahertz Emitters, Receivers, and Applications III; 849608 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.929343
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Room-temperature terahertz (THz) quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources based on intra-cavity difference-frequency generation (DFG) with record THz conversion efficiencies is reported. THz DFG QCLs reported previously are highly inefficient since THz radiation produced more than ~100 μm away from the exit facet is fully absorbed due to high THz losses in the QCL waveguide. Our lasers use a non-collinear Čerenkov DFG scheme to extract THz radiation from the active region. Dual-color mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers with integrated giant optical nonlinearity are grown on semi-insulating (S.I.) InP substrates. A lateral current extraction scheme is used. THz radiation is emitted at an angle into the substrate with respect to the mid-infrared pumps. Since S.I. InP is virtually lossless to THz radiation, this scheme allows for efficient extraction of THz radiation along the whole waveguide length. As a result, our sources demonstrate large mid-infrared-to-THz conversion efficiency and directional THz output. Experimentally, proof-of-principle devices demonstrate a conversion efficiency up to 70 μW/W2 and provide output across a 1.2 - 4.5 THz spectral range.

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Karun Vijayraghavan, Augustinas Vizbaras, Robert W. Adams, Min Jang, Christian Grasse, Gerhard Boehm, Markus C. Amann, and Mikhail A. Belkin "Terahertz quantum cascade laser sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation", Proc. SPIE 8496, Terahertz Emitters, Receivers, and Applications III, 849608 (15 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.929343

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