Narrow-linewidth ultra-broadband terahertz sources based on difference-frequency generation in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

Seungyong Jung, Yifan Jiang, Jae Hyun Kim, Luigi Consolino, Saverio Bartalini, Paolo De Natale, Miriam Vitello, Kazuue Fujita, Masahiro Hitaka, Akio Ito, Jeremy Kirch, Dan Botez, Frederic Demmerle, Gerhard Boehm, Markus Christian Amann, Mikhail A. Belkin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We discuss novel approaches to improve the tuning bandwidth and power output of terahertz (THz) sources based on difference-frequency generation (DFG) in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). Using a double Littrow external-cavity system, we experimentally demonstrate that both doubly-resonant terms and optical rectification terms in the expression for the intersubband optical nonlinearity contribute to THz generation in DFG-QCLs and report THz DFG-QCLs with the optimized optical rectification terms. We also demonstrate a hybrid DFG-QCL device on silicon that enables significant improvement on THz out-coupling efficiency and results in more than 5 times higher THz output power compared to that of a reference device on its native semi-insulating InP substrate. Finally, we report for the first time the THz emission linewidth of a free-running continuous-wave THz DFG-QCL.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNovel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers XVI
EditorsPeter M. Smowton, Alexey A. Belyanin
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510606876
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
EventNovel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers XVI 2017 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 30 Jan 20172 Feb 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10123
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceNovel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers XVI 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period30/01/172/02/17

Keywords

  • Difference-frequency generation
  • Linewidth
  • Nonlinear optical rectification
  • Quantum cascade lasers
  • Terahertz

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