Gain Measurements of THz Quantum Cascade Lasers using THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

Author

Jukam, Nathan ; Dhillon, Sukhdeep ; Zhao, Zhen-Yu ; Duerr, Georg ; Armijo, J. ; Sirmons, N. ; Hameau, Sophie ; Barbieri, S. ; Filloux, Pascal ; Sirtori, C. ; Marcadet, X. ; Tignon, Jér Ome

Author_Institution

Laboratorie Pierre Aigrain, Paris

Volume

14

Issue

2

fYear

2008

Firstpage

436

Lastpage

442

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy is used to investigate the gain and losses of a THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating at 2.86 THz. This measurement technique allows access to the amplitude and phase spectra, allowing the direct determination of the gain. At the emission frequency of the QCL, a value of 6.5 cm^-1 is found. The gain can also be studied as a function of different operating conditions, even when no laser action is present. Effects such as gain clamping and spectral narrowing are also observed. Furthermore, temperature measurements illustrate the reduction of the gain as the temperature is increased.

Keywords

gain measurement; quantum cascade lasers; submillimetre wave spectroscopy; amplitude spectra; emission frequency; frequency 2.86 THz; gain measurements; phase spectra; terahertz quantum cascade lasers; terahertz time domain spectroscopy; Fingers; Frequency; Gain measurement; Optical pulse generation; Quantum cascade lasers; Quantum well lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Spectroscopy; Temperature; Time domain analysis; Gain measurement; quantum well devices; semiconductor lasers; time-domain measurements;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JSTQE.2007.911761

Filename

4481114