Frequency Tuning Range Control in Pulsed Terahertz Quantum-Cascade Lasers: Applications in Interferometry
Frequency Tuning Range Control in Pulsed Terahertz Quantum-Cascade Lasers: Applications in Interferometry
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DOI：
10.1109/jqe.2018.2806948
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发表时间：
2018-04-01
影响因子：
2.5
通讯作者：
Rakic, Aleksandar D.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Agnew, Gary;Grier, Andrew;Rakic, Aleksandar D.
太赫兹量子级联激光器(QCL)在脉冲模式下工作时，能够在较高的温度下产生更高的光输出功率。然而，为了达到性能要求，预测激光器在脉冲操作下的行为并不是一件容易的事情：电流、电场和热瞬变之间的复杂和非线性相互作用导致光学输出功率和发射频率的复杂响应。在预测和控制这些行为非常重要的应用中，有必要在电流驱动、发射频率和光输出功率之间建立联系。在本文中，我们通过一个实际的激光专用模型证明，通过适当地操纵驱动脉冲，我们不仅可以在提高工作温度的情况下获得更高的光输出，而且还可以扩展和线性化QCL的扫频。我们认为，通过现实和全面的建模来考虑激光行为不仅是有用的，而且在任何发射频率变化可能影响性能的脉冲应用中也是必要的。
Terahertz quantum cascade-lasers (QCLs) are able to produce higher optical output power at higher temperatures when operated in pulsed mode. Predicting a laser's behavior under pulsed operation in order to achieve performance requirements is, however, a nontrivial exercise: the complex and nonlinear interplay between current, electric field, and thermal transients gives rise to complex responses in both optical output power and emission frequency. In applications where it is important to predict and control these behaviors, establishing the link between current drive, emission frequency, and optical output power is necessary. In this paper, we demonstrate, via a realistic laser-specific model, that by appropriate manipulation of the drive pulse we can not only obtain a higher optical output at increased operating temperature but also both extend and linearize a QCL's frequency sweep. We suggest that consideration of laser behavior through realistic and comprehensive modeling is not only useful but is also required in any pulsed application in which emission frequency change is likely to affect performance.