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

• 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: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=708437
• 关键词: Advanced; terahertz; quantum; cascade; lasers

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.

Terahertz（THZ）频率范围（1-10 THZ，1THZ = 1E12 Hz）中的电磁波在过去十年中引起了密集的关注，这主要是因为它们有可能革新重要应用的潜力，包括许多其他应用程序，包括生物化学物种检测，天文学光谱，Terahertrespoppy，Terahertz无线图像和光学无线通信。自2002年成立以来，THZ量子级联激光器（QCL）由于其紧凑，高效率和波长的态度而迅速成为有前途的相干光源。但是，将这些设备适当地适应实际应用是很大的困难，其中最有前途的是高性能光谱。为了应对这一挑战，拟议的研究计划旨在开发基于THZ QCL的频率梳子设备，以在THZ范围内产生稳定和统一的多波长排放，这将允许高分辨率，易于操作的THZ光谱测量值。这将为具有强大潜力的创新奠定了基础，这些创新能够更快，低成本检测威胁生命的疾病（例如皮肤癌），在安全检查点上对危险爆炸物的更准确和迅速筛查，以及对先进的环境监测和保护的更广泛，更可靠的部署。 该建议的计划旨在应对实现THZ技术固有的基本和技术挑战。这些目标结合了实验方法和理论方法，并将包括1）在THZ QCL的金属 - 金属脊指导中建立基础锁定物理学的全面知识基础； 2）开发一个模拟包，该仿真软件包可以数值计算材料和波导色散以及设备的增益光谱； 3）设计可以产生宽且平坦的频谱的量子活动区域，并在较宽的频率范围内产生零整体分散的波导； 4）用于频率梳和/或模式锁定操作的QCL的制造和表征。 这项研究的直接结果将是一种新型的Terahertz频率梳激光的演示，从长远来看，该激光器可能导致第一个被动模式锁定的THZ激光器，以进行高功率和高重复率操作。这项研究将在半导体量子结构和激光波导中具有刺耳的光栅设计中的半导体量子结构和相锁定机制中深入了解。制造的设备将在高分辨率Terahertz光谱，生物学和医学科学，Terahertz通信，Terahertz Imaging领域造成影响。该研究计划还将为HQP带来极好的培训机会，HQP将在明天的基于知识的经济中领导创新。