Download or read book Quantum Cascade Lasers Based on Intra cavity Frequency Mixing written by Min Jang and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) operate due to population inversion on intersubband in unipolar mutiple-quantum-well (MQW) heterostructure. QCLs are considered one of the most flexible and powerful light semiconductor sources in the mid- and far-infrared (IR) wavelength range, covering most of the critical spectral regions relevant to IR applications. InGaAs/InAlAs/InP QCLs are the only semiconductor lasers capable of continuous wave (CW) operation at room temperature (RT) in the spectral range 3.4-12 micron. This dissertation details the development of RT QCLs based on passive nonlinear coupled-quantum-well structures monolithically integrated into mid-IR QCLs to provide a giant nonlinear response for the pumping frequency. The primary focus of short-wavelength approach in this dissertation is to develop of RT InGaAs/InAlAs/InP QCLs for lamda=2.5-3.7 micron region, based on quasi-phase-matched intracavity second harmonic generation (SHG) associated with intersubband transition. Intersubband optical transition can be engineered by the choice of quantum well and barrier thicknesses to provide the appropriate energy levels, optical dipole matrix elements, and electron scattering rates amongst other parameters. Thus, aside from their linear optical properties, resonant intersubband transitions in coupled QW's can also be designed to produce nonlinear optical medium with giant nonlinear optical susceptibilities. In long-wavelength region, at high temperature, the population inversion is reduced between the upper and lower laser levels due to the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon scattering of thermal carriers in the upper laser state and the thermal backfilling of carriers into the lower laser level from the injector state. This dissertation aims to improve an alternative approach for THz QCL sources based on intra-cavity difference frequency generation (DFG) in dual-wavelength mid-IR QCLs with a passive nonlinear structure, designed for giant optical nonlinearity. Further studies describe that Cerenkov DFG scheme allows for extraction of THz radiation along the whole length of the laser waveguide and provides directional THz emission in 1.2-4.5 THz range. An important requirement for many applications, like chemical sensing and molecular spectroscopy, is single-mode emission. We demonstrate single-mode RT DFG THz QCLs operation in 1-5 THz region by employing devices as integrated dual-period DFB lasers, where efficient solid state RT sources do not exist.

Download or read book Mid Infrared and Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers written by Dan Botez and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2023-09-14 with total page 552 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn how the rapidly expanding area of mid-infrared and terahertz photonics has been revolutionized in this comprehensive overview. State-of-the-art practical applications are supported by real-life examples and expert guidance. Also featuring fundamental theory enabling you to improve performance of both existing and future devices.

Download or read book THz and Security Applications written by Carlo Corsi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-05-06 with total page 317 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: These proceedings comprise invited papers from highly experienced researchers in THz technology and security applications. THz detection of explosives represents one of the most appealing technologies to have recently emerged in dealing with terrorist attacks encountered by civil security and military forces throughout the world. Discussed are the most advanced technologies and developments, the various points of operational strength and weaknesses as well as are suggestions and predictions the best technological solutions to overcome current operational limits. The current status of various levels of cooling in THz detectors, sources and associated electronics are also addressed. The goal was to provide a clear view on the current technologies available and the required advances needed in order to achieve more efficient systems. This goal was outlined in part by establishing the baseline of current uncertainty estimations in physics-based modelling and the identification of key areas which require additional research and development.

Download or read book Quantum Cascade Lasers written by Jérôme Faist and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2013-03-14 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book describes the physics, fabrication technology, and applications of the quantum cascade laser.

Download or read book The Effect of Intracavity Field Variation on the Emission Properties of Quantum Cascade Lasers written by Tobias S. Mansuripur and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A common and powerful simplification in laser physics is to ignore the spatial dependence of the intracavity field intensity, and instead replace it with its average value. This approach can elucidate many aspects of laser behavior. In this work, however, we examine several problems, both theoretical and experimental, whose understanding requires that the intracavity intensity variation be properly taken into account. We first address theoretically the question of light reflecting from an amplifying slab, a simple problem to pose but one that reveals counterintuitive solutions of the Fresnel equations. These subtleties provide a deeper understanding of negative refraction in nonmagnetic media, amplified total internal reflection, and the perfect lens. Secondly, we fabricate multi-section sampled grating quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) and demonstrate single-mode operation and wide tunability by the Vernier effect. Thirdly, we theoretically investigate how the end mirror reflectivities of a laser affect the output power, and show that power output is reduced when the disparity of the two reflectivities increases. Finally, we demonstrate experimentally for the first time that the transition from single to multi-mode operation in QCLs begins with the appearance of sidebands on the primary lasing mode, separated by tens of free spectral ranges. We explain this state theoretically as the result of the parametric interaction between the primary lasing mode and the sidebands. The frequency separation of the sidebands and the temporal behavior of the emitted waveform are sensitive to the facet reflectivities. This discovery provides a new pathway toward mid-infrared frequency combs from quantum cascade lasers.

Download or read book Terahertz Electronics written by Andrey D. Grigorev and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2020-08-27 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book describes distinctive features of the terahertz radiation interaction with various materials, including the Earth’s atmosphere, liquids, dielectrics, superconductors, semiconductors, metals and 2D-structures. It discusses all types of terahertz sources, including lasers, photoconductive antennas, semiconductor diode and transistor generators and amplifiers, and considers terahertz band vacuum devices. The text offers a comparative analysis of these devices and their perspectivity in the terahertz band, and describes the basic types of terahertz detectors. Also investigated here are the reasons for the appearance of the so-called “terahertz gap” and the means of increasing working frequency and output power of the sources of terahertz radiation. The book also considers the electromagnetics and electron-optical systems of vacuum terahertz devices and their manufacturing technology.

Download or read book High frequency Modulation of a Quantum cascade Laser Using a Monolithically Integrated Intracavity Modulator written by and published by . This book was released on with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We report a quantum-cascade laser monolithically integrated with an intracavity modulator which could be operated up to 1 GHz. In contrast to earlier approaches, where the radio frequency (RF) modulation signal was supplied to the entire cavity length of the laser structure, we drive only a relatively small 375-/spl mu/m-long section of the cavity. At the same time, a quasi-continuous-wave signal was supplied to the remaining 1125-/spl mu/m-long section. This modulation scheme resulted in smaller parasitic capacitance effects than what we reported previously, and enabled us to work with lower RF voltages and currents.

Download or read book Spectroscopic Applications of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers written by Tasmim Alam and published by Cuvillier Verlag. This book was released on 2020-10-29 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are attractive for high-resolution spectroscopy because they can provide high power and a narrow linewidth. They are particularly promising in the terahertz (THz) range since they can be used as local oscillators for heterodyne detection as well as transmitters for direct detection. However, THz QCL-based technologies are still under development and are limited by the lack of frequency tunability as well as the frequency and output power stability for free-running operation. In this dissertation, frequency tuning and linewidth of THz QCLs are studied in detail by using rotational spectroscopic features of molecular species. In molecular spectroscopy, the Doppler eff ect broadens the spectral lines of molecules in the gas phase at thermal equilibrium. Saturated absorption spectroscopy has been performed that allows for sub-Doppler resolution of the spectral features. One possible application is QCL frequency stabilization based on the Lamb dip. Since the tunability of the emission frequency is an essential requirement to use THz QCL for high-resolution spectroscopy, a new method has been developed that relies on near-infrared (NIR) optical excitation of the QCL rear-facet. A wide tuning range has been achieved by using this approach. The scheme is straightforward to implement, and the approach can be readily applied to a large class of THz QCLs. The frequency and output stability of the local oscillator has a direct impact on the performance and consistency of the heterodyne spectroscopy. A technique has been developed for a simultaneous stabilization of the frequency and output power by taking advantage of the frequency and power regulation by NIR excitation. The results presented in this thesis will enable the routine use of THz QCLs for spectroscopic applications in the near future.

Download or read book Low Frequency and Circuit Based Quantum Cascade Lasers written by Christoph Walther and published by Sudwestdeutscher Verlag Fur Hochschulschriften AG. This book was released on 2011 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Quantum cascade lasers are unipolar semiconductor lasers based on intersubband transitions in quantum wells. They have shown laser operation from above 100 THz down to the terahertz region and are promising sources for the terahertz region (0.3-10 THz) which is lacking of efficient narrowband radiation sources. A low frequency quantum cascade laser design is developed that faces the emerging challenges when the photon energy approaches the broadening of the energy levels. A record lowest operation frequency of 1.2 THz is demonstrated. A hybrid laser-oscillator for the terahertz is developed in the second part of this work, consisting of an optical gain medium and an electronic resonator. The resonator is an inductor-capacitor resonant circuit. The so called circuit based laser has the property of being a deep sub-wavelength sized microcavity laser. The effective mode volume is among the smallest for electrically pumped lasers. The circuit based resonator in combination with an active region could lead to a class of new devices to generate and manipulate terahertz radiation that exploit cavity quantum electrodynamic effects.

Download or read book Tunable Laser Applications written by F.J. Duarte and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2016-02-22 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Broadly tunable lasers continue to have a tremendous impact in many and diverse fields of science and technology. From a renaissance in laser spectroscopy to Bose-Einstein condensation, the one nexus is the tunable laser. Tunable Laser Applications describes the physics and architectures of widely applied tunable laser sources. Fully updated and ex

Download or read book Towards Actively Mode locked Terahertz Quantum cascade VECSELs written by Yu Wu and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The invention of optical frequency combs generated by mode-locked lasers revolutionized time and frequency metrology in the late 1990s. This concept has been explored in several laser systems; the quantum cascade laser (QCL) is one such system that operates in the terahertz (THz) frequency range.THz QCL was first invented in 2001 as a reliable semiconductor source for compact, high-power THz radiation. The inherently strong third-order nonlinearity in its QC-gain medium allows for spontaneous frequency comb formation as a result of spatial hole burning induced by Fabry-Perot cavities and four-wave mixing, which synchronizes the dispersed cavity modes. It was noticed that the self-generated combs are naturally frequency-modulated with quasi-continuous power output, whereas amplitude-modulated combs, i.e., mode-locking, are considered challenging in THz QCLs because of the inherent fast gain recovery time. One effective method to trigger active mode-locking is RF injection locking. It involves injecting RF current modulation into the QC-device at a frequency that is close to the cavity round-trip frequency. This locks the spacing between adjacent lasing modes, and pulses with a duration of 4-5 ps have been reported. In recent years, the study of frequency comb/mode-locking in THz QCLs has raised increasing interest because of its potential for a number of applications, including astronomy, biomedicine, fast spectroscopy, non-invasive imaging, and non-destructive evaluation. So far, research has concentrated on ridge-waveguide and ring QCLs. On the other hand, THz quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-laser (QC-VECSEL) was introduced in 2015 as a novel external cavity configuration of THz QCLs.The key concept of THz QC-VECSEL is to engineer its gain chip into a millimeter-scale reflectarray metasurface for free-space THz radiation and further incorporation into a resonant laser cavity as an active reflector. This enables watt-level output power with near-Gaussian distributed beam quality; versatile functionality may be incorporated into the amplifying metasurface; and broadband frequency tunability is provided by the VECSEL architecture. Despite the fact that VECSELs are widely used for mode-locking at near-infrared and optical frequencies, THz QC-VECSELs have not yet been exploited in frequency comb and mode-locking applications. In this thesis, we report for the first time the techniques utilized to achieve frequency comb/mode-locking operations in THz QC-VECSELs. Both the metasurface design and VECSEL cavity geometry are optimized for this purpose. The double-patch metasurface design is considered optimal for broadband frequency response and low dispersion, and a well-designed RF package is needed for efficient RF signal injection and extraction. On the other hand, an off-axis parabolic (OAP) mirror is introduced to build a V-shaped intra-cryostat focusing VECSEL cavity. This OAP-focusing cavity design eliminates most of the intra-cavity diffraction losses and, therefore, enables lasing in an ultra-long external cavity using a small-sized metasurface that supports continuous wave (CW) biasing. It is highly suited for frequency comb/mode-locking applications as the cavity round-trip frequency is lowered to a typical value of 3-5 GHz. In contrast to ridge-waveguide or ring QCLs, self-generated frequency combs have not been observed in THz QC-VECSELs --- in fact, they prefer to lase in a single-mode regime primarily due to a lack of spatial hole burning.To promote multimode operation in THz QC-VECSELs, we present a technique based on a specific combination of output coupler thickness and external cavity length. Through Vernier selection and reflectance compensation in a cascaded Fabry-Perot cavity, we are able to perform simultaneous nine modes lasing with a free-spectral range (FSR) of ~21 GHz. The number of lasing modes that can be generated using this method is limited by the maximum available output coupler thickness. A more effective way to promote multimoding, as well as possible frequency comb or even mode-locking operations, is through RF injection locking.The successful demonstration of RF injection locking in THz QC-VECSELs for the first time is the main focus of this thesis. Lasing spectral broadening has been observed under strong RF modulation, with a maximum bandwidth of around 100-300 GHz. An intermodal beat-note is produced as a result of beating between each of the two lasing modes. It is locked to the RF injection signal as the injection frequency is tuned around the cavity round-trip frequency. This suggests that the lasing modes are equally spaced, which is a prerequisite of frequency comb/mode-locking. Several impacting factors, including metasurface design, external cavity length, and optical feedback, are experimentally investigated in the RF-injection locked QC-VECSELs, which may help control and tune the laser states. THz QC-VECSEL is consequently considered to be a superior platform that enables a more thorough investigation of the fundamental physics of mode-locking/frequency comb operation in QCL systems. Our research on mode-locked THz QC-VECSELs opens the way for future development of semiconductor lasers operating in the 2-5 THz region that produce picosecond-scale pulses.

Download or read book Laser Spectroscopy 1 written by Wolfgang Demtröder and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-05-07 with total page 510 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Keeping abreast of the latest techniques and applications, this new edition of the standard reference and graduate text on laser spectroscopy has been completely revised and expanded. While the general concept is unchanged, the new edition features a broad array of new material, e.g., ultrafast lasers (atto- and femtosecond lasers) and parametric oscillators, coherent matter waves, Doppler-free Fourier spectroscopy with optical frequency combs, interference spectroscopy, quantum optics, the interferometric detection of gravitational waves and still more applications in chemical analysis, medical diagnostics, and engineering.

Download or read book Crystal Nonlinear Optics written by Arlee Smith and published by . This book was released on 2018-02-21 with total page 782 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advanced textbook on crystal nonlinear optics.

Download or read book Terahertz Techniques written by Erik Bründermann and published by Springer. This book was released on 2012-04-18 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research and development in the terahertz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum has expanded very rapidly during the past fifteen years due to major advances in sources, detectors and instrumentation. Many scientists and engineers are entering the field and this volume offers a comprehensive and integrated treatment of all aspects of terahertz technology. The three authors, who have been active researchers in this region over a number of years, have designed Terahertz Techniques to be both a general introduction to the subject and a definitive reference resource for all those involved in this exciting research area.

Download or read book Mid infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers for Chaos Secure Communications written by Olivier Spitz and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-05-15 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The mid-infrared domain is a promising optical domain because it holds two transparency atmospheric windows, as well as the fingerprint of many chemical compounds. Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are one of the available sources in this domain and have already been proven useful for spectroscopic applications and free-space communications. This thesis demonstrates how to implement a private free-space communication relying on mid-infrared optical chaos and this requires an accurate cartography of non-linear phenomena in quantum cascade lasers. This private transmission is made possible by the chaos synchronization of two twin QCLs. Chaos in QCLs can be generated under optical injection or external optical feedback. Depending on the parameters of the optical feedback, QCLs can exhibit several non-linear phenomena in addition to chaos. Similarities exist between QCLs and laser diodes when the chaotic dropouts are synchronized with an external modulation, and this effect is known as the entrainment phenomenon. With a cross-polarization reinjection technique, QCLs can generate all-optical square-waves. Eventually, it is possible to trigger optical extreme events in QCLs with tilted optical feedback. All these experimental results allow a better understanding of the non-linear dynamics of QCLs and will extend the potential applications of this kind of semiconductor lasers.

Download or read book Laser Based Measurements for Time and Frequency Domain Applications written by Pasquale Maddaloni and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2013-04-24 with total page 766 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Foreword by Nobel laureate Professor Theodor W. Hänsch of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Based on the authors’ experimental work over the last 25 years, Laser-Based Measurements for Time and Frequency Domain Applications: A Handbook presents basic concepts, state-of-the-art applications, and future trends in optical, atomic, and molecular physics. It provides all the background information on the main kinds of laser sources and techniques, offers a detailed account of the most recent results obtained for time- and frequency-domain applications of lasers, and develops the theoretical framework necessary for understanding the experimental applications. After a historical introduction, the book describes the basic concepts and mathematical tools required for studying the physics of oscillators. It then discusses microwave and optical resonators, crucial aspects of operation and fundamental properties of lasers, and precision spectroscopy and absolute frequency metrology. It also focuses on microwave and optical frequency standards and explores current and potential research directions. Accessible to scientists, postdoc researchers, and advanced undergraduate students, this self-contained book gives a wide-ranging, balanced overview of the areas—including frequency standards and clocks, ultra-high-precision spectroscopy, quantum information, and environmental metrology—revolutionized by the recent advent of optical frequency comb synthesizers (OFCSs) based on femtosecond mode-locked lasers. The book is also a useful guide to cutting-edge research for manufacturers of advanced laser systems and optical devices.

Download or read book Solid State Mid Infrared Laser Sources written by Irina T. Sorokina and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2003-07-10 with total page 600 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book describes the most advanced techniques for generating coherent light in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum. These techniques represent diverse areas of photonics and include heterojunction semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade lasers, tunable crystalline lasers, fiber lasers, Raman lasers, and optical parametric laser sources. Offering authoritative reviews by internationally recognized experts, the book provides a wealth of information on the essential principles and methods of the generation of coherent mid-infrared light and on some of its applications. The instructive nature of the book makes it an excellent text for physicists and practicing engineers who want to use mid-infrared laser sources in spectroscopy, medicine, remote sensing and other fields, and for researchers in various disciplines requiring a broad introduction to the subject.