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的电磁能量。这些包括非常短的距离，高度安全的通信和皮肤细胞的皮下成像。太赫兹区域很难进入，它远高于晶体管的范围，远低于激光的范围。获得太赫兹辐射的一种方法是在光度计中混合（外差）两束激光。虽然这已经在实验室中用分立激光器和大块光学元件进行了验证，但实际应用需要一个简单、紧凑和坚固的光源。这个程序的目标是一个太赫兹频率发生器芯片。研究人员将在单一衬底上实现两个可调谐二极管激光器，一个光电混合器和一个太赫兹辐射元件。该计划的智力价值包括为太赫兹产生开发特别有用的光电集成电路。该项目还提供了一个新的合作研究项目，包括一名具有光子器件经验的资深教授和一名具有新型外延生长工艺经验的年轻教授及其学生。更广泛的影响：这项研究将有利于当代生活的几个方面，并为影响信息时代、未来医疗保健和国土安全提供基础设施。此外，它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。通过一个“教老师”的项目，将光学材料科学带给年轻人，从而提高代表性不足群体的参与度。每年将有一名K-12教师参与这个项目，让他们了解研究和这些技术的第一手资料。他们的学生将受益于那些已经成为他们榜样的人的激励。

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.