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Characterizing Far-infrared Laser Emissions and the Measurement of Their Frequencies
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Broadband all-electronically tunable MEMS terahertz quantum cascade lasers.

Ningren Han, Alexander de Geofroy, David P Burghoff

    Optics Letters
    |July 1, 2014
    PubMed
    Summary

    We developed electronically tunable terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) tuners. This breakthrough enables continuous tuning over 240 GHz at cryogenic temperatures, paving the way for practical THz applications.

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    Area of Science:

    • Quantum electronics
    • Terahertz technology
    • Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)

    Background:

    • Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) are crucial for various applications but often lack wide tunability.
    • Existing tuning methods can be complex or limited in range and precision.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To demonstrate electronically tunable THz QCLs using MEMS tuner structures.
    • To achieve wide, single-mode electronic tuning of THz QCLs in cryogenic environments.

    Main Methods:

    • Fabrication of a two-stage MEMS tuner device using a commercial open-foundry process.
    • Integration of an open-loop cryogenic piezo nanopositioning stage for electronic actuation.
    • Experimental characterization of the tunable THz QCL in a cryogenic environment (~4 K).

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    Main Results:

    • Achieved over 240 GHz of single-mode continuous electronic tuning.
    • Demonstrated reliable MEMS tuner fabrication with high-precision alignment.
    • Confirmed operation without mode hopping in cryogenic conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Electronically tunable THz QCLs with MEMS tuners offer an inexpensive, rapid, and reliable solution.
    • This technology is a significant step towards turn-key, bench-top tunable THz coherent sources.
    • Enables advanced spectroscopic and coherent tomography applications.