Compact Whispering-Gallery TeraHertz Emitter

我们建议设计、制造并实验演示一个毫米级的连续太赫兹发射器，该发射器基于一个由标准的电信兼容红外光泵浦的低语画廊谐振器。与现有的基于非线性光学效应的太赫兹光源不同，非线性光学现象的增强是通过将光压缩成超短脉冲来实现的，我们的增强机制是基于高质量因子低语廊谐振器中红外光的多次再循环，从而实现高效的太赫兹产生。知识价值：提出的工作提出了一个全新的观点，即耳语廊谐振器的潜在用途，从根本上改善现有太赫兹源的性能。理论研究提供了对基于参数振荡和差频产生的低语通道增强太赫兹发射器基本转换效率限制的深入理解。此外，实验工作为开发合适的太赫兹耦合器和波导的实际限制和解决方案提供了直观的见解。更广泛的影响：拟议研究的成功将使高性能医学成像、生物传感、安全筛查和化学识别系统成为可能。将教育与研究活动相结合：将招募本科生和暑期实习生参加研究活动，将特别优先考虑妇女和代表性不足群体的成员。我们将开发新的研究生课程，并在本科课程中加入新的教学模块，我们将通过易于浏览的网页向公众发布最新的研究成果和教育教程，我们将为高中学生安排两年一次的研讨会、开放参观和科学演示。

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.