Compact Whispering-Gallery TeraHertz Emitter

我们建议设计，制造和实验证明毫米级，连续波太赫兹发射器的基础上的回音壁谐振器，是由一个标准的电信兼容的红外光泵浦。与现有的基于非线性光学效应的THz源不同，在那里非线性光学现象的增强是通过将光压缩成超短脉冲，我们的增强机制是基于高品质因数的回音壁谐振器中的IR光的多次再循环，从而实现高效的THz generation.Intellectual merit：所提出的工作提出了一个全新的视角，对回音壁谐振器的潜在用途，从根本上提高现有的THz源的性能。理论研究提供了一个深刻的理解的基本转换效率的限制回音壁增强太赫兹发射器的基础上参量振荡和差频产生。此外，实验工作为开发合适的太赫兹耦合器和波导提供了直观的现实约束和解决方案。更广泛的影响：拟议研究的成功将使高性能的医学成像，生物传感，安全筛选和化学识别系统成为可能。教育与研究活动的整合：将招募本科生和暑期实习生参与研究活动，特别优先考虑女性和代表性不足的群体成员。我们将开发新的研究生课程，并将新的教学单元纳入本科课程，通过易于浏览的网页向公众传播我们的研究成果和教育教程的最新信息，每两年举办一次的研讨会和开放参观，并为高中学生安排科学演示。

Proposal summaryWe propose to design, fabricate, and experimentally demonstrate a millimeter-scale, continuous-wave THz emitter based on a whispering-gallery resonator that is pumped by a standard telecom-compatible infrared light. Unlike existing THz sources based on nonlinear optical effects, where enhancement of nonlinear optical phenomena is by compressing light into ultra-short pulses our enhancement mechanism is based on multiple recirculation of an IR light in a high quality-factor whispering-gallery resonator enabling efficient THz generation.Intellectual merit:The proposed work presents an entirely new perspective on the potential use of whispering-gallery resonators to radically improve the performance of existing THz sources. Theoretical investigations provide a deep understanding of fundamental conversion efficiency limitations of whispering-gallery enhanced THz emitters based on parametric oscillation and difference frequency generation. Additionally, the experimental efforts provide an intuitive insight to practical constraints and solutions to develop proper THz couplers and waveguides.Broader Impact:The success of the proposed research will enable high-performance medical imaging, biological sensing, security screening and chemical identification systems.Integration of education with research activities:Undergraduate students and summer interns will be recruited for the research activities, special priority will be given to women and the members of underrepresented groups. New graduate courses will be developed and new teaching modules will be included in undergraduate courses, an update on our research results and educational tutorials will be disseminated to the public via easy-to-navigate web pages, bi-annual seminars and open house visits and scientific demos will be arranged for high school students.