Room temperature continuous wave milliwatt terahertz source

Abstract

We present a continuous wave terahertz source based on intracavity difference frequency generation within a dual color vertical external cavity surface emitting laser. Using a nonlinear crystal with a surface emitting phase matching scheme allows for high conversion efficiencies. Due to the tunability of the dual mode spacing, the entire spectral range of the terahertz gap can be covered. The terahertz output scales quadratically with the intracavity intensity, potentially allowing for terahertz intensities in the range of 10s of milliwatts and beyond.

Terahertz technologies: present and future

“…The above mentioned single frequency generation required high-peak pump power with Q-switched lasers, which leads to pulsed-CW sources. Pure CW sources based on intracavity difference frequency generation have been demonstrated with an average power as high as tens of milliwatt at 1 and 1.9 THz [7]. The other technique for photonics-based THz generation is to use photoconductors and photodiodes.…”

Dual-wavelength vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser: strict growth control and scalable design

“…Their applications range from intracavity nonlinear frequency mixing [3][4][5] to two-wavelength interferometry…”

Terahertz Frequency Metrology for Spectroscopic Applications: a Review

“…One favorable option is to enclose the generation crystal into an optical cavity for the visible/near IR radiation. These setups can achieve output powers of a few milliwatts at 1.9 THz with intracavity power as high as 500 W [86]. The generated power scales with the product of the intensities of the two pump beams; as a consequence, the emitted THz power can be also enhanced by confining the THz radiation in a small space.…”