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15 October 2012Terahertz quantum cascade laser sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation
Room-temperature terahertz (THz) quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources based on intra-cavity difference-frequency
generation (DFG) with record THz conversion efficiencies is reported. THz DFG QCLs reported previously are highly
inefficient since THz radiation produced more than ~100 μm away from the exit facet is fully absorbed due to high THz
losses in the QCL waveguide. Our lasers use a non-collinear Čerenkov DFG scheme to extract THz radiation from the
active region. Dual-color mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers with integrated giant optical nonlinearity are grown on
semi-insulating (S.I.) InP substrates. A lateral current extraction scheme is used. THz radiation is emitted at an angle into
the substrate with respect to the mid-infrared pumps. Since S.I. InP is virtually lossless to THz radiation, this scheme
allows for efficient extraction of THz radiation along the whole waveguide length. As a result, our sources demonstrate
large mid-infrared-to-THz conversion efficiency and directional THz output. Experimentally, proof-of-principle devices
demonstrate a conversion efficiency up to 70 μW/W2 and provide output across a 1.2 - 4.5 THz spectral range.
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Karun Vijayraghavan, Augustinas Vizbaras, Robert W. Adams, Min Jang, Christian Grasse, Gerhard Boehm, Markus C. Amann, Mikhail A. Belkin, "Terahertz quantum cascade laser sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation," Proc. SPIE 8496, Terahertz Emitters, Receivers, and Applications III, 849608 (15 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.929343