Advanced terahertz quantum cascade lasers for frequency comb and mode locking operation

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Electromagnetic waves in the terahertz (THz) frequency range (1-10 THz, 1THz = 1E12 Hz) have received intensive attention over the last decade owing primarily to their potential to revolutionize important applications, including, among many others, bio-chemical species detection, astronomical spectroscopy, terahertz imaging and optical wireless communication. Since their inception in 2002, THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have quickly emerged as a promising coherent light source because of their compactness, high efficiency and wavelength tenability; however, there is significant difficulty in properly adapting these devices for practical applications, the most promising of which is high-performance spectroscopy. In response to this challenge, the proposed research program aims to develop a THz QCL-based frequency comb device to generate stable and uniform multiple-wavelength emissions in the THz range, which would allow high-resolution, easy-to-operate THz spectral measurements. This would lay the groundwork for innovations that have strong potential for much faster and low-cost detection of life-threatening diseases (such as skin cancer), more accurate and expeditious screening of dangerous explosives at security checkpoints, and much wider and reliable deployment of advanced environmental monitoring and protection.