Room Temperature, High Power, Monolithic Optical THz Source Based on Photonic Crystal Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Lasers

目标是创造一种革命性的单片窄线宽THz技术，该技术紧凑，可批量生产，并在室温下具有mW级功率输出。 这将通过优化量子级联激光器的固有非线性，降低吸收和相位匹配损耗，提高泵浦功率和光谱纯度，以及改善器件几何形状以获得更好的THz外耦合来实现。 高功率THz源的构建模块代表了许多活跃的研究领域，包括：基于二维衍射反馈的高功率双频量子级联激光器，量子系统中非线性的带结构工程，以及等离子体波导和表面光栅的研究。拟议的研究也为理论、技术和实验在开发单个集成器件中发挥作用提供了一个很好的案例研究。 更广泛的影响该提案解决了在室温下产生太赫兹光领域的关键需求。 也有很大的潜力，后续工作，探索电调谐的来源。 除了改善光谱和成像工作，紧凑、可批量生产的太赫兹源的最大影响将是易于获取，这将使新的研究和应用在不同领域得到发展。为了增加这项工作的持久影响，强调教育和推广活动，包括对本科生和高中生的实践培训。

ObjectiveThe aim is to create a revolutionary monolithic, narrow linewidth, THz technology which is compact, mass-producible, and has mW-scale power output at room temperature. This will be achieved by optimizing intrinsic nonlinearities in quantum cascade lasers, reducing absorption and phase-matching losses, improving pump power and spectral purity, and improving the device geometry for better THz outcoupling.Intellectual MeritThe proposed effort combines basic science with advanced technology in order to produce a multi-component, yet highly integrated and functional, device. The building blocks of the high power THz source represent many active areas of investigation including: high power, dual frequency quantum cascade lasers based on two-dimensional diffractive feedback, band structure engineering of nonlinearity in a quantum system, and investigation of plasmon waveguides and surface gratings. The proposed research also makes an excellent case study for how theory, technology, and experiment all play a role in developing a single integrated device. Broader ImpactThis proposal addresses critical needs in the field of THz light generation at room temperature. There is also significant potential for follow-on work to explore electrical tunability of the source. Besides improving spectroscopy and imaging efforts, the biggest impact of a compact, mass-producible THz source will be ease of access, which will enable new research and applications to be developed in diverse fields.To increase the lasting impact of this work, educational and outreach activities are stressed which include hands-on training of undergraduates and high-school students.