Monolithic Integrated Terahertz Frequency Generator

智力优势：有许多潜在的重要应用需要在无线电频谱的太赫兹区域使用电磁能量。这些包括极短距离、高度安全的通信和皮肤细胞的皮下成像。太赫兹区域一直很难进入，它远远高于晶体管的射程，远低于激光的射程。获得太赫兹辐射的一种方法是在光电混合器中混合(外差)两束激光。虽然这一点已经在实验室中用分立激光器和块状光学元件进行了演示，但实际应用需要一个简单、紧凑和坚固的光源。本课题的目标是研制一款太赫兹频率发生芯片。研究人员将在单个衬底上实现两个可调谐二极管激光器、一个光电倍增器和一个太赫兹辐射元件。该计划的智力价值包括开发一种特别有用的用于太赫兹产生的光电集成电路。该计划还提供了一项新的合作研究工作，涉及一名在光子器件方面有经验的资深教授，以及一名新的年轻教授和她的学生，他们在新的外延生长过程中具有经验。广泛的影响：这项研究将有益于当代生活的几个方面，并为影响信息时代、未来的医疗保健和国土安全提供基础设施。此外，它还将为下一代科学家和工程师提供灵感和培训，特别是本科生，他们将与研究生导师一起参与日常研究。代表不足的群体的参与将得到加强，方法是将光学材料科学带给年轻人，并推出一个“教老师”的计划。每年将有一名K-12教师参与这项计划，使他们能够第一手了解研究和这些技术。他们的学生将从那些已经成为他们榜样的人的激励中受益。

Intellectual Merit: There are a number of potentially important applications that require electromagnetic energy in the terahertz region of the radio spectrum. These include very short range highly secure telecommunications and the subcutaneous imaging of skin cells. The terahertz region has been difficult to access it is well above the range of transistors and well below that of lasers. One method for obtaining terahertz emission is to mix (heterodyne) two laser beams together in a photomixer. While this has been demonstrated with discrete lasers and bulk optical components in a laboratory, practical applications require a simple, compact, and robust source. The objective of this program is a terahertz frequency generator chip. The investigators will implement on a single substrate two tunable diode lasers, a photomixer, and a THz radiating element. The intellectual merit of this program includes development of a particularly useful optoelectronic integrated circuit for terahertz generation. This program also provides for a new collaborative research effort involving a senior professor, with experience in photonic devices, and a new young professor and her students, with experience in novel epitaxial growth processes.Broader Impacts: This research will benefit several facets of contemporary life and provide infrastructure for impacting the information age, future health care, and homeland security. In addition, it will provide inspiration and training for the next generation of scientists and engineers, particularly undergraduate students, who will be involved in day-to-day research along with a graduate student mentor. The participation of underrepresented groups will be enhanced by bringing optical materials science to younger people with a program to "teach the teacher." A K-12 teacher will be involved in this program each year allowing them to learn first hand about research and these technologies. Their students will benefit from the inspiration of those who are already their role models.