Terahertz photonic crystal quantum cascade lasers

Zhang, Hua; Dunbar, L. A.; Scalari, Giacomo; Houdré, R.; Faist, Jérôme

doi:10.1364/oe.15.016818

Cited by 72 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Neither does the tuning method mandate a large dynamic range in current for the QCL in operation, which is in contrast with the methods relying on frequency-pulling due to Stark-shifted gain spectrum with changing electrical bias of the QCL that requires operation at low-temperatures. [27][28][29] …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large static tuning of narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic lasers operating at 78K

Jin

Reno

et al. 2016

APL Photonics

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A new tuning mechanism is demonstrated for single-mode metal-clad plasmonic lasers, in which refractive-index of the laser's surrounding medium affects the resonant-cavity mode in the same vein as refractive-index of gain medium inside the cavity. Reversible, continuous, and mode-hop-free tuning of ∼ 57 GHz is realized for single-mode narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs), which is demonstrated at much more practical temperature of 78 K. The tuning is based on post-process deposition/etching of a dielectric (Silicon-dioxide) on a QCL chip that has already been soldered and wire-bonded onto a copper mount. This is a considerably larger tuning range compared to previously reported results for terahertz QCLs with directional far-field radiation patterns. The key enabling mechanism for tuning is a recently developed antenna-feedback scheme for plasmonic lasers, which leads to generation of hybrid surface-plasmon-polaritons propagating outside the cavity of the laser with a large spatial extent. The effect of dielectric deposition on QCL's characteristics is investigated in detail including that on maximum operating temperature, peak output power and far-field radiation patterns. Single-lobed beam with low divergence (< 7 • ) is maintained through the tuning range. The antenna-feedback scheme is ideally suited for modulation of plasmonic lasers and their sensing applications due to the sensitive dependence of spectral and radiative properties of the laser on its surrounding medium.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large static tuning of narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic lasers operating at 78K

Jin

Reno

et al. 2016

APL Photonics

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“…More recently, the same concept has been translated to the more appealing electrically pumped photonic crystal laser structures, which exploit quantum cascade laser (QCL) active regions. Laser action has been demonstrated at mid-IR [6] and terahertz (THz) frequencies [7] providing a fascinating solution for the achievement of simultaneous spectral and spatial (surface emission and beam shaping) mode engineering [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimode, Aperiodic Terahertz Surface-Emitting Laser Resonators

Biasco

Linfield

et al. 2016

Photonics

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Quasi-crystal structures are conventionally built following deterministic generation rules although they do not present a full spatial periodicity. If used as laser resonators, they open up intriguing design possibilities that are simply not possible in conventional periodic photonic crystals: the distinction between symmetric (vertically radiative but low quality factor Q) and anti-symmetric (non-radiative, high Q) modes is indeed here fully overcome, offering a concrete perspective of highly efficient vertical emitting resonators. We here exploit electrically pumped terahertz quantum cascade heterostructures to devise two-dimensional seven-fold quasi-crystal resonators, exploiting rotational order or irregularly distributed defects. By lithographically tuning the lattice quasi-periodicity and/or the hole radius of the imprinted patterns, efficient multimode surface emission with a rich sequence of spectral lines distributed over a 2.9-3.4 THz bandwidth was reached. We demonstrated multicolor emission with 67 mW of peak optical power, slope efficiencies up to «70 mW/A, 0.14% wall plug efficiencies and beam profile results of the rich quasi-crystal Fourier spectrum that, in the case of larger rotational order, can reach very low divergence.

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“…The broad gain region of the active region of terahertz-QCLs allows to shift the emission frequency in a wide range using the same active region. 10,11 We are going to show the use of 2D-PhC with complete TM bandgaps for the emission frequency control of terahertz-QCLs. The devices are based on PhC-mirrors that surround a central gain region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photonic crystal mode terahertz lasers

Benz

Deutsch

Fasching

et al. 2009

Journal of Applied Physics

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We present the design and fabrication of photonic crystal (PhC) based resonators for terahertz quantum-cascade laser with a gain maximum at 2.7 THz. The PhC provides the confinement in lateral direction, for the vertical confinement a double-metal waveguide is used. We show theoretical and experimental analyses of devices based on a central gain region, which is surrounded by a PhC mirror. The devices are lasing in the bandgaps or at high-symmetry points of the PhC, depending on the period. These concepts allow us to tune the emission of the lasers in the range of a few hundred gigahertz.

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Terahertz photonic crystal quantum cascade lasers

Cited by 72 publications

References 27 publications

Large static tuning of narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic lasers operating at 78K

Large static tuning of narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic lasers operating at 78K

Multimode, Aperiodic Terahertz Surface-Emitting Laser Resonators

Photonic crystal mode terahertz lasers

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