A tunable cavity-locked diode laser source for terahertz photomixing

Matsuura, Shuji; Chen, Pin; Blake, Geoffrey A.; Pearson, John C.; Pickett, Herbert M.

doi:10.1109/22.826836

Cited by 58 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The main compo- ter. This technique of amplifying a reference signal is known as MOPA (master-oscillator power-amplifier) and has been used for photomixing [119,120].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distributed photomixers

Duerr

McIntosh

Verghese³

2000

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2000). Technical Digest. Postconference Edition. TOPS Vol.39 (IEEE Cat. No.00CH37

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Although the terahertz domain has been explored scientifically, components, especially sources, are needed to enable further exploration of the frequency range. A photomixer generates coherent THz radiation through optical heterodyne down-conversion. A terahertzfrequency beat signal on an optical carrier illuminates an ultrafast photoconductor, modulating the conductance. The time-varying conductance together with a constant voltage bias generates time-varying current at the beat frequency. Low-temperature-grown gallium arsenide (LTG-GaAs) is the photoconductive material of choice, because its short carrier lifetime allows the conductance to be efficiently modulated at THz frequencies.The distributed photomixer described in this thesis is a new style of LTG-GaAs photomixer which uses an optical waveguide to couple the beat signal to an active area which is large relative to the terahertz wavelength. This large, traveling-wave mode active area distributes the heat load from absorbed optical power and ohmic heating from photocurrent and avoids the ¡ £ ¢ rolloff associated with a lumped-element photomixer's intrinsic capacitance and the load resistance. The distributed photomixer structure consists of coplanar strips (CPS) fabricated on top of a dielectric strip-loaded waveguide that guides the optical beat. The conductance of a thin layer of LTG-GaAs between the CPS and optical guide is modulated by the weakly coupled optical signal. The THz conductance wave between the dc-biased CPS creates a THz electromagnetic wave which propagates along the CPS. To velocity match the THz and optical waves, the CPS are periodically loaded with thin electrodes that add a small shunt capacitance to the line. The CPS are terminated in a planar antenna that radiates the THz wave.This thesis describes the design, fabrication, and testing of waveguide-coupled distributed photomixers. The photomixers demonstrated in this thesis operated in travelingwave mode and produced 100 nW of power at 0.3 THz and the power output rolled off at 6 dB/octave until 1.4 THz. A model which qualitatively and quantitatively predicts the device performance as a function of frequency, illumination and voltage bias is developed. A general design methodology, detailed discussion of fabrication steps and possible methods to increase output power are also presented.

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“…The main compo- ter. This technique of amplifying a reference signal is known as MOPA (master-oscillator power-amplifier) and has been used for photomixing [119,120].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distributed photomixers

Duerr

McIntosh

Verghese³

2000

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2000). Technical Digest. Postconference Edition. TOPS Vol.39 (IEEE Cat. No.00CH37

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“…''Conventional" microwave techniques [101] continue to be extended to higher frequencies using backward wave oscillators, harmonic multipliers, etc. Laser photomixing [102,103] and time-domain THz [104] techniques are becoming increasingly available. Since broad-band sources (CSR or time-domain THz) require the use of a spectrometer (i.e.…”

Section: Coherent Srmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy with synchrotron sources

McKellar

2010

Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy

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“…Prototypes can be realized with very little effort and the spectral tuning ability is only limited by the bandwidth of the gain medium. Furthermore smaller linewidths can be achieved in comparison to monolithic devices [35].…”

Section: Two-color Lasersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generation of Terahertz radiation with two color semiconductor lasers

Hoffmann

Hofmann²

2007

Laser & Photonics Reviews

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Abstract:We discuss and analyze concepts for the generation of tuneable continuous wave terahertz (THz) radiation with two color diode lasers. First, different geometries of two color lasers are reviewed. We show that the THz power of two color lasers in combination with external photomixers becomes sufficient for scanning THz imaging applications when optical amplification with a tapered amplifier is implemented. Then, the concept of direct emission of THz radiation out of a two-color semiconductor laser is reviewed and the potential of this concept with respect to THz bandwidth and achievable THz power is critically analyzed.Scheme of the FTECAL-laser cavity consisting of collimated laser diode, grating lens and mirror.

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A tunable cavity-locked diode laser source for terahertz photomixing

Cited by 58 publications

References 21 publications

Distributed photomixers

Distributed photomixers

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy with synchrotron sources

Generation of Terahertz radiation with two color semiconductor lasers

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