Tuning a microcavity-coupled terahertz laser
Tuning a microcavity-coupled terahertz laser
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DOI：
10.1063/1.4938207
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发表时间：
2015-12-28
影响因子：
4
通讯作者：
Vitiello, Miriam S.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Castellano, Fabrizio;Bianchi, Vezio;Vitiello, Miriam S.
可调谐振荡器是几乎所有电子和光子系统的关键部件。然而，仍然缺乏一种能够在太赫兹（THz）频率范围内工作并完全适合于超小规模实现的技术。这个问题严重限制了太赫兹在气体传感、高分辨率光谱、超光谱成像和光通信中的潜在应用。在输出功率和光谱纯度方面，太赫兹量子级联激光器可以说是最有前途的解决方案。为了实现可靠的，可重复的，和广泛的可调谐性，在这里，我们利用两个不同的腔模式的概念之间的强耦合：一个分布反馈一维光子谐振器（提供增益）和一个机械驱动的波长大小的微腔（提供调谐）。其结果是一个连续可调的单模发射器，覆盖162 GHz的光谱范围，以3.2 THz为中心。我们的源具有几十MHz的分辨率、极高的差分效率和前所未有的紧凑和简单的设计架构。通过揭示这种技术的巨大潜力，我们的研究结果为利用广泛可调谐半导体激光器的完全不同的THz系统提供了一个强大的平台。(C)2015年作者。
Tunable oscillators are a key component of almost all electronic and photonic systems. Yet, a technology capable of operating in the terahertz (THz)-frequency range and fully suitable for widescale implementation is still lacking. This issue is significantly limiting potential THz applications in gas sensing, high-resolution spectroscopy, hyper-spectral imaging, and optical communications. The THz quantum cascade laser is arguably the most promising solution in terms of output power and spectral purity. In order to achieve reliable, repeatable, and broad tunability, here we exploit the strong coupling between two different cavity mode concepts: a distributed feedback one-dimensional photonic resonator (providing gain) and a mechanically actuated wavelength-size microcavity (providing tuning). The result is a continuously tunable, single-mode emitter covering a 162 GHz spectral range, centered on 3.2 THz. Our source has a few tens of MHz resolution, extremely high differential efficiency, and unprecedented compact and simple design architecture. By unveiling the large potential that lies in this technique, our results provide a robust platform for radically different THz systems exploiting broadly tunable semiconductor lasers. (C) 2015 Author(s).