AIR Option 1: Technology Translation - Portable, High-Power, Tunable CW Terahertz Source by Intra-Cavity Type-II Conversion in T-Cavity Two-Chip VECSEL

该PFI：AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译和开发一种便携式、高功率、可调谐的基于晶闸管的太赫兹（太赫兹）源。该技术是基于一种新型的双芯片垂直外腔面发射激光器（VECSEL）的高功率宽调谐双色激光器的独特特性。 利用垂直腔面发射激光器的高Q值腔内循环功率和正交偏振特性，可以实现THz辐射的II类差频产生。 目前的THz源存在效率低、输出功率低（几十微瓦）、工作温度受限或尺寸大、成本高等问题。双芯片腔中的腔内THz产生有望通过提供数十毫瓦的高CW（连续波）功率与成熟且低成本的半导体技术相结合来克服限制，填补THz技术的主要空白。通过在0.3-30 nm范围内精确调节两个芯片之间的波长差并选择合适的非线性晶体，可以实现0.1 - 10 THz范围内的目标频率。Air创新合作伙伴关系提供了在紧凑型原型中制造和展示高功率CW THz源的方法，改变了THz技术的未来。商业目标是商业化的紧凑，低成本的可调谐太赫兹源，覆盖广泛的太赫兹频谱。 未来十年，高功率太赫兹光源将在医疗、制药、制造等各个科技领域产生革命性的影响。这将有助于美国在商业和国防市场的竞争力。 这种新型激光技术的商业化将影响化学和生物传感新工具的开发，并产生长期的社会和经济影响。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating and developing a portable, high power, tunable semiconductor-based THz (terahertz) source. The technology is based on unique characteristics of high-power widely-tunable two-color laser in a novel two-chip vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL). Access to the VECSELs' high-Q intracavity circulating power with orthogonal polarization provide highly efficient mean for type-II difference frequency generation (DFG) of THz radiation. Current THz sources suffer from low-efficiency, low output power in the range of tens of micro-Watts, limited operating temperature or large size and high cost. The intracavity THz generation in the two-chip cavity promises to overcome the limitations by providing high CW (continuous wave) power in the 10s of milli-Watts combined with mature and low-cost semiconductor technology, filling a major gap in THz technology. Targeted frequency in the 0.1 to 10 THz range will be achieved by accurately adjusting wavelength difference between the two chips in the 0.3-30 nm and selecting a suitable nonlinear crystal. The Air innovation partnership provides means to fabricate and demonstrate a high-power CW THz source in a compact prototype, transforming the future of THz technology. The business objective is to commercialize a compact, low-cost tunable THz source covering the broad THz spectrum. The transformative impact of high-power THz source will be in various fields of science and technology including medical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing in the next decade. This will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in commercial and defense market. The commercialization of this novel laser technology will impact development of new tools in chemical and biological sensing with long term social and economic impact.