CAREER: Terahertz semiconductor laser sources for operation above cryogenic temperatures

本方案的研究目标是研究和开发基于单片和电压可调超材料光波导的宽连续可调的太赫兹量子级联激光器和其他有源器件。这些波导是基于传输线超材料的概念，其中色散关系通过集成电容元件的电控制来调节。目标包括展示各种配置的可广泛调谐的太赫兹激光光源，包括可调谐的分布式反馈激光器、可调谐的主振荡器功率放大器和光束可控的相控阵太赫兹激光发射器。智能优点智能的优点是将可调谐超材料概念与激光波导相结合，其中的传播敏感地依赖于嵌入电路元件的值。这种方法可以实现比使用温度或其他电气技术所能实现的更宽的可调谐范围，并且具有高度的单片集成度。放大器和分布式反馈配置的演示将允许使用定向波束模式将输出功率扩展到几毫瓦或更高。更广泛的影响更广泛的影响在于开发一种实现可调谐半导体激光器的新方法。此外，太赫兹技术还需要改进用于传感、成像和光谱分析的光源和探测器。教育计划的核心是通过制定一个协调的宣传、推广和培训计划，以及直接雇用本科生参与这项研究，来加强电气工程系的本科生研究。多个校园资源将被用来吸引和资助代表不足的少数族裔学生参加这项研究和工程。

Proposal ECCS 1150071Project AbstractObjectiveThe research objective of this proposal is the investigation and development of widely and continuously tunable terahertz quantum-cascade lasers and other active devices based upon monolithic and voltage tunable metamaterial waveguides. These waveguides are based on the transmission-line metamaterial concept in which the dispersion relation is tuned by electrical control of integrated capacitive elements. Goals include demonstration of widely tunable terahertz laser sources in various configurations, including tunable distributed feedback lasers, tunable master-oscillator power-amplifiers, and beam-steerable phased-array THz laser emitters. Intellectual MeritThe intellectual merit is the integration of tunable metamaterial concepts with laser waveguides, in which propagation is sensitively dependent on values of embedded circuit elements. This approach can achieve a much wider range of tunability than can be achieved using temperature or other electrical techniques, with a high degree of monolithic integration. The demonstration of amplifier and distributed feedback configurations will allow the output power to be scaled to several milliwatts or greater with a directive beam pattern. Broader ImpactsThe broader impacts lie in the development of a new approach for achieving tunable semiconductor lasers. Additionally, terahertz technology requires improved sources and detectors for sensing, imaging, and spectroscopy. The core of the educational plan is to enhance undergraduate research within the Electrical Engineering department through the development of a coordinated publicity, outreach, and training program, as well as directly employing undergraduates in this research. Multiple campus resources will be leveraged to attract and fund underrepresented minority students to this research and engineering in general.