GOALI: Terahertz Transmission-Line Metamaterials for Quantum Cascade Lasers

本研究的目的是开发集成有源量子级联增益材料的平面传输线超材料，用于新型太赫兹光子和电子器件。该方法是使用太赫兹量子级联激光器金属-金属波导(类似于微带传输线)作为实现传输线超材料的平台，该传输线是采用晶片键合工艺制造的。研究将通过(I)超材料电磁设计和建模、微制造、实验表征和(Ii)先进量子级联增益材料的设计和分子束外延生长的综合计划来进行。智力上的优势是开发可从受激发射中提供光子增益以平衡损耗的有源太赫兹平面超材料，并展示新型有源超材料器件，如零折射率激光器、亚波长激光器和相控阵太赫兹发射器。太赫兹频谱范围是集成超材料和从电子和光子频率获得概念的理想选择。更广泛的影响是太赫兹技术的发展，最终应用于传感、成像、通信和光谱分析应用，并将这项技术转让给工业合作伙伴，以支持其国防和空间科学高速电子项目。将通过与加州大学洛杉矶分校的卓越工程和多样性项目合作，招募本科生进行研究，从而向代表性不足的群体提供服务。教育交流将通过学生直接与行业互动，以及行业员工在加州大学洛杉矶分校进行研究来进行。PI将开发一门研究生课程“太赫兹技术”，该课程将从这项研究中获得信息。

The objective of this research is to develop planar transmission-line metamaterials integrated with active quantum-cascade gain material for novel terahertz photonic and electronic devices. The approach is to use terahertz quantum-cascade laser metal-metal waveguide (similar to microstrip transmission line) that is fabricated using a wafer-bonding process as a platform for the implementation of transmission-line metamaterials. Research will proceed via (i) a comprehensive program of metamaterial electromagnetic design and modeling, microfabrication, experimental characterization, and (ii) design of advanced quantum-cascade gain material and its growth by molecular beam epitaxy by the industrial collaborator.The intellectual merit is the development of active terahertz planar metamaterials that provide photonic gain from stimulated emission to balance losses, and the demonstration of novel active metamaterial devices, such as zero-index lasers, sub-wavelength lasers, and phased array terahertz emitters. The terahertz spectral range is ideally situated to allow integration of metamaterial and gain concepts from both electronic and photonic frequencies.The broader impact is the development of terahertz technology for eventual applications in sensing, imaging, communications, and spectroscopy applications, and the transfer of this technology to the industrial partner to support its programs in high-speed electronics for defense and space science. Outreach to underrepresented groups will occur by working with UCLA's Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity program to recruit undergraduate students for research. Educational exchange will occur via students directly interacting with industry, and industrial employees performing research at UCLA. The PI will develop a graduate course "Terahertz Technology" that will be informed by this research.