Toward realizing high power semiconductor terahertz laser sources at room temperature

Manijeh Razeghi

doi:10.1117/12.887986

25 May 2011 Toward realizing high power semiconductor terahertz laser sources at room temperature

Manijeh Razeghi

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8023, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems V: Advance Applications in Industry and Defense; 802302 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.887986
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2011, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The terahertz (THz) spectral range offers promising applications in science, industry, and military. THz penetration through nonconductors (fabrics, wood, plastic) enables a more efficient way of performing security checks (for example at airports), as illegal drugs and explosives could be detected. Being a non-ionizing radiation, THz radiation is environment-friendly enabling a safer analysis environment than conventional X-ray based techniques. However, the lack of a compact room temperature THz laser source greatly hinders mass deployment of THz systems in security check points and medical centers. In the past decade, tremendous development has been made in GaAs/AlGaAs based THz Quantum Cascade Laser (QCLs), with maximum operating temperatures close to 200 K (without magnetic field). However, higher temperature operation is severely limited by a small LO-phonon energy (~ 36 meV) in this material system. With a much larger LO-phonon energy of ~ 90 meV, III-Nitrides are promising candidates for room temperature THz lasers. However, realizing high quality material for GaN-based intersubband devices presents a significant challenge. Advances with this approach will be presented. Alternatively, recent demonstration of InP based mid-infrared QCLs with extremely high peak power of 120 W at room temperature opens up the possibility of producing high power THz emission with difference frequency generation through two mid-infrared wavelengths.

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Manijeh Razeghi "Toward realizing high power semiconductor terahertz laser sources at room temperature", Proc. SPIE 8023, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems V: Advance Applications in Industry and Defense, 802302 (25 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.887986

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KEYWORDS

Terahertz radiation

Quantum cascade lasers

Mid-IR

Silicon

Semiconductors

Diodes

Laser sources

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