Mode-locking of THz quantum cascade lasers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Between the visible light and radio waves, there is a particular family of electromagnetic waves, known as Terahertz waves. Among the various sources of THz waves, one of the most promising is the Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL). Unlike standard diode lasers, QCLs can be designed to emit electromagnetic radiation at different frequencies. Recently, they have been demonstrated to emit THz radiation with frequencies between 5 and 2 THz. QCLs are very compact sources, with dimensions of the order of a fraction of a millimeter, and are capable of emitting THz waves of very high power, higher than any other portable source of THz radiation. For these reasons they are likely to become the most widespread source of THz radiation in the years to come. In this project we want to demonstrate that THz QCLs can function in a very special way called mode-locking . When operated in this regime, lasers emit a regular series of very powerful and extremely short pulses. The repetition rate of the pulses, also called round-trip frequency is equal to one over the time needed for a photon to travel back and forth across the laser cavity. Semiconductor lasers can be forced into mode-locking by modulating the amplitude of the bias voltage at exactly the round trip frequency. This regime is called active mode-locking . Sometimes they can switch spontaneously from normal to mode-locked operation. In this case they are said to operate in a regime of passive mode-locking , which can occur for many different reasons, depending on the type of laser. During the last few years scientists have had some indications that QCLs may operate in a regime of mode-locking (passive and active), however they have not yet been able to prove it. In fact, the only way to distinguish between mode-locked operation, and what could be just a strong modulation of the output power at the round-trip frequency, is to measure the time duration of the output pulses. There are various techniques to perform this measurement, however QCLs emit at frequencies (mid-infrared and far-infrared) where most of these methods are very difficult to implement. In this project we propose to exploit a technique which is normally used to detect pulses of THz radiation in modern THz systems, and to apply this to THz QCLs. The technique, called photoconductive optical gating , uses the pulses generated by a visible mode-locked laser for probing those coming from the THz QCL. It is extremely powerful and versatile and will allow for the complete reconstruction of the temporal shape of the THz pulse. It has never beenapplied before to QCLs, and will give us the chance to find, without ambiguity, under which conditions these devices can be operated in a regime of mode-locking. Moreover, by understanding the fundamental physical processes, we will also be able to modify the design of QCLs to optimize mode-locking operation, for the production of ultra-short, ultra-high power THz pulses. Such type of pulses would be extremely useful for many applications where THz waves have a great potential. In particular they would be used in applications such as luggage scanning in airports, for the detection of explosives and non-metallic weapons. In fact, similarly to X-rays, THz waves can see through many everyday materials such as leather and most types of cloth. However, unlike X-rays, they can be used to recognize and distinguish an explosive from other harmless substances such as cheese or meat. In order to be able to penetrate thick layers, such as those forming ordinary luggage, they must be sufficiently powerful. By realizing mode-locked QCLs, we expect to produce THz pulses with peak powers in the order of 100 to 1000 times those generated with current THz systems.
Organisations
Publications
Xu J
(2007)
Tunable terahertz quantum cascade lasers with an external cavity
in Applied Physics Letters
Xu G
(2013)
Stable single-mode operation of surface-emitting terahertz lasers with graded photonic heterostructure resonators
in Applied Physics Letters
Rungsawang R
(2008)
Intensity detection of terahertz quantum cascade laser radiation using electro-optic sampling
in Applied Physics Letters
Rungsawang R
(2011)
Gain enhancement in a terahertz quantum cascade laser with parylene antireflection coatings
in Applied Physics Letters
Rungsawang R
(2008)
Terahertz spectroscopy of carbon nanotubes embedded in a deformable rubber
in Journal of Applied Physics
Richter H
(2008)
Terahertz heterodyne receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometer mixer in a pulse tube cooler
in Applied Physics Letters
Ravaro M
(2013)
Stabilization and mode locking of terahertz quantum cascade lasers
in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Mihoubi Z
(2008)
All-semiconductor room-temperature terahertz time domain spectrometer.
in Optics letters
Maysonnave J
(2012)
Mode-locking of a terahertz laser by direct phase synchronization.
in Optics express
Description | Active regions, waveguides and modelocking techniques for Thz quantum cascade lasers. |
Exploitation Route | For use in research and commercial applications |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Security and Diplomacy |
Description | The development of active regions, waveguides as well as modulation and mode locking techniques for quantum cascade lasers have been used in many experiments from fundamantals to applications. |
Description | Seventh Framework Programme |
Amount | £165,291 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 296500 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 05/2012 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | Physics at work |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Physics at work takes place every year at the Cavendish Laboratory. A total of 2000 school students visit to listern to talks and demonstrations. My research group gives around 20 presentations to 25 students each year about semiconductor physics. Heightened interest in science and particular physics amongst local school students. Physics undergraduates are currently at record numbers in Cambridge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
URL | http://www-outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/physics_at_work/ |