Terahertz quantum cascade lasers with >1 W output powers

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) frequency quantum cascade lasers emitting peak powers of >1 W from a single facet in the pulsed mode are demonstrated. The active region is based on a bound-to-continuum transition with a one-well injector, and is embedded into a surface-plasmon waveguide. The lasers emit at a frequency of ∼3.4 THz and have a maximum operating temperature of 123 K. The maximum measured emitted powers are ∼1.01 W at 10 K and ∼420 mW at 77 K, with no correction made to allow for the optical collection efficiency of the apparatus.

Simulating terahertz quantum cascade lasers: Trends from samples from different labs

“…Sensitivity of currents to varying simulation parameters for the sample LiEL2014. 47 In (a), the Al content x is changed giving lower and higher barriers for x ¼ 0.15 and x ¼ 0.17, respectively, compared to the nominal one with x ¼ 0.16. In (b), the IFR height g is changed within two extreme values.…”

“…Showing good scaling properties, the latter designs are suitable for high power operation, 47 and the robustness in layer sequence can be utilized for broadband multi-stack devices. 48 Here, these designs are labeled as LiEL2014, 47 AmantiNJP2009, 46 and TurcinkovaAPL2011, 48 respectively. As the layer sequence of stack A in Ref.…”

Spectral gain profile of a multi-stack terahertz quantum cascade laser

“…In terms of size, output power, and efficiency, THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) 2,3 are the devices of choice to generate such radiation. These electrically pumped semiconductor lasers are capable of delivering watt-level output power 4,5 and reach maximum operating temperatures up to 200 K. 6 Dependent on the specific application, it is essential to use single mode lasers with high spectral purity, e.g. for local oscillators in heterodyne receivers, 7 whereas for other applications, THz QCLs with broadband gain media are highly desirable.…”

Gain recovery time in a terahertz quantum cascade laser

“…2) and emit output powers up to 1 W. 3 These features, coupled with their compact size and narrow emission linewidth, have led to applications in imaging 4 and gas sensing. 5 There has also been significant interest in understanding emission from QCLs in the time-domain, and the generation of pulses on ultrafast timescales.…”