Advanced terahertz quantum cascade lasers for frequency comb and mode locking operation

用于频率梳和锁模操作的先进太赫兹量子级联激光器

基本信息

批准号：
RGPIN-2016-04661
负责人：
Ban, Dayan
金额：
$ 2.99万
依托单位：
University of Waterloo
依托单位国家：
加拿大
项目类别：
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
财政年份：
2018
资助国家：
加拿大
起止时间：
2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=644564
关键词：
Advanced terahertz quantum cascade lasers

项目摘要

Electromagnetic waves in the terahertz (THz) frequency range (1-10 THz, 1THz = 1E12 Hz) have received intensive attention over the last decade owing primarily to their potential to revolutionize important applications, including, among many others, bio-chemical species detection, astronomical spectroscopy, terahertz imaging and optical wireless communication. Since their inception in 2002, THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have quickly emerged as a promising coherent light source because of their compactness, high efficiency and wavelength tenability; however, there is significant difficulty in properly adapting these devices for practical applications, the most promising of which is high-performance spectroscopy. In response to this challenge, the proposed research program aims to develop a THz QCL-based frequency comb device to generate stable and uniform multiple-wavelength emissions in the THz range, which would allow high-resolution, easy-to-operate THz spectral measurements. This would lay the groundwork for innovations that have strong potential for much faster and low-cost detection of life-threatening diseases (such as skin cancer), more accurate and expeditious screening of dangerous explosives at security checkpoints, and much wider and reliable deployment of advanced environmental monitoring and protection. ***This proposed program is targeted to tackle the fundamental and technical challenges inherent to bring THz technology to fruition. The objectives combine experimental and theoretical approaches and will include 1) development of a comprehensive knowledge base on the underlying physics of phase locking in the metal-metal ridge waveguide of THz QCLs; 2) development of a simulation package that can numerically calculate the material and waveguide dispersion as well as the gain spectrum of the device; 3) design of a quantum active region that can produce a broad and flat gain spectrum and develop a waveguide with zero overall dispersion over a wide frequency range; 4) fabrication and characterization of QCLs for frequency comb and/or mode-locking operation.***The direct outcome of this research will be the demonstration of a novel terahertz frequency comb laser, which could, in the longer term, lead to the first passive mode-locked THz lasers for high power and high repetition rate operation. The research will develop an in-depth understanding of intersubband transition in semiconductor quantum structures and phase-locking mechanisms in laser waveguide with chirped grating designs. Fabricated devices will carry over impacts in the areas of high-resolution terahertz spectroscopy, biological and medical sciences, terahertz communication, terahertz imaging. The research program will also bring to bear excellent training opportunities for HQP who will lead innovation in tomorrow's knowledge-based economy.**

太赫兹 (THz) 频率范围（1-10 THz，1THz = 1E12 Hz）的电磁波在过去十年中受到了广泛关注，主要是因为它们具有彻底改变重要应用的潜力，其中包括生化物种检测、天文光谱、太赫兹成像和光无线通信。自 2002 年问世以来，太赫兹量子级联激光器 (QCL) 因其紧凑、高效率和波长稳定性而迅速成为一种有前途的相干光源；然而，将这些设备适当地应用于实际应用存在很大的困难，其中最有前途的是高性能光谱学。为了应对这一挑战，拟议的研究计划旨在开发一种基于太赫兹QCL的频率梳装置，以在太赫兹范围内产生稳定且均匀的多波长发射，从而实现高分辨率、易于操作的太赫兹光谱测量。这将为创新奠定基础，这些创新具有强大的潜力，可以更快、更低成本地检测危及生命的疾病（例如皮肤癌），在安全检查站更准确、更迅速地筛查危险爆炸物，以及更广泛、更可靠地部署先进的环境监测和保护。 ***该拟议计划旨在解决使太赫兹技术取得成果所固有的基本和技术挑战。目标结合了实验和理论方法，包括 1) 开发太赫兹 QCL 金属-金属脊形波导锁相基础物理的综合知识库； 2）开发一个模拟包，可以数值计算材料和波导色散以及器件的增益谱； 3）设计可产生宽且平坦增益谱的量子活性区，并开发在宽频率范围内总体色散为零的波导； 4) 用于频率梳和/或锁模操作的 QCL 的制造和表征。***这项研究的直接成果将是新型太赫兹频率梳激光器的演示，从长远来看，这可能会导致第一个用于高功率和高重复率操作的被动锁模太赫兹激光器。该研究将深入了解半导体量子结构中的子带间跃迁以及具有啁啾光栅设计的激光波导中的锁相机制。制造的设备将对高分辨率太赫兹光谱、生物和医学科学、太赫兹通信、太赫兹成像等领域产生影响。该研究计划还将为 HQP 带来极好的培训机会，他们将引领未来知识经济的创新。**