New generation of high-power widely-tunable mid-IR lasers using novel collinear orthogonally-polarized two-color semiconductor VECSEL

目的：研究和开发一种新型的高功率(瓦级)、宽调谐、紧凑的3.5-4微米激光光源。该方法基于双芯片T腔垂直外腔表面发射激光器(VECSEL)的新型腔内共线II差频产生。在增益极大值附近对每个芯片进行波长调谐将导致在中红外波段进行高功率宽波长调谐。所提出的高品质因数双共振激光腔将为一类新的高功率半导体中远红外激光器打开大门，并将在各个科学领域产生革命性的影响。智能优点：拟议的研究是开发一种新的高功率、紧凑、可广泛调谐的中红外激光光源。在半导体激光器和腔体设计、非线性光学材料、热管理和差频转换等领域将取得重大研究和技术进步。拟议的双色双共振VECSEL腔内DFG将为一类新的基于高功率半导体的中到远红外激光器打开大门。更广泛的影响：拟议的中红外光源将在未来对科学和工程的各个领域以及多学科教育和推广产生重大的科学影响。除了应用丰富的中红外之外，所提出的概念还可以扩展到远红外中未开发的光谱区域，为未来提供更多的研究机会。拟议研究的跨学科性质将为研究生、本科生和代表性不足的少数族裔学生提供强大和独特的教育机会。

Objective: The objective of this research is to study and develop a novel high-power (watt-level), widely tunable, compact 3.5-4 micron laser source. The approach is based on a novel intra-cavity collinear type-II difference frequency generation (DFG) in a two-chip T-cavity vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL). Wavelength tuning of each chip around the gain maxima will result in high power wide wavelength tuning in the mid-IR band. The proposed high quality factor doubly-resonant laser cavity will open doors to a new class of high power semiconductor-based mid- to far-IR lasers and will have a transformative effect in various fields of science. Intellectual Merit: The proposed research is to develop a new class of high-power, compact, widely-tunable mid-IR laser sources. Significant research and technical advancement will be made in areas such as: semiconductor laser and cavity design, nonlinear optical materials, thermal management, and difference frequency conversion. The proposed intra-cavity DFG in a two-color doubly-resonant VECSEL cavity will open doors to a new class of high power semiconductor-based mid- to far-IR lasers.Broader Impact: The proposed mid-IR source will have significant future scientific impact on various fields of science and engineering and multi-disciplinary education and outreach. In addition to the application-rich mid-IR, the proposed concept can be extended to the untapped spectral regions in the far-IR providing even more research opportunities in the future. The interdisciplinary nature of the proposed research will provide powerful and unique educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate and underrepresented minority students.