Title :
Terahertz quantum cascade lasers and video-rate THz imaging
Author_Institution :
Dept. of EECS, MIT, Cambridge, MA
Abstract :
Based on a robust THz gain medium that rapidly depopulates the lower state using resonant LO-phonons and a novel metal-metal waveguide structure for mode confinement, we have developed THz quantum-cascade lasers with many performance records. These include but not limited to: the highest pulsed operating temperature of ~170 K, the highest CW operating temperature of 117 K, long wavelength of ~190 mum, and the highest output power levels of-250 mW. Using these lasers and a 320 times 240 pixel focal-plane array camera, real-time THz imaging is performed at a video rate of 20 frames/second.
Keywords :
quantum cascade lasers; submillimetre wave imaging; THz gain medium; THz quantum-cascade lasers; focal-plane array camera; highest pulsed operating temperature; lower state; metal-metal waveguide structure; mode confinement; resonant LO-phonons; terahertz quantum cascade lasers; video-rate THz imaging; Laser modes; Optical imaging; Performance gain; Pixel; Power generation; Quantum cascade lasers; Resonance; Robustness; Temperature; Waveguide lasers;
Conference_Titel :
Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2007 and the 2007 15th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics. IRMMW-THz. Joint 32nd International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Cardiff
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1438-3
DOI :
10.1109/ICIMW.2007.4516381
