Open AccessTerahertz quantum cascade lasers based on two-dimensional photonic crystal resonators
Author(s) -
L. Sirigu,
Romain Terazzi,
Maria I. Amanti,
Marcella Giovannini,
Jérôme Faist,
L. A. Dunbar,
R. Houdré
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.005206
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , photonic crystal , optics , optoelectronics , plasmon , resonator , cascade , materials science , laser , surface plasmon , optical cavity , surface plasmon polariton , physics , chemistry , chromatography
We demonstrate high spectral control from surface emitting THz Quantum Cascade Lasers based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity. The perforated top metallic contact acts as an in plane resonator in a tight double-metal plasmonic waveguide providing a strong optical feedback without needing three-dimensional cavity features. The optical far-field patterns do not exhibit the expected symmetry and the shape of the cavity mode. The difference is attributed to a metal surface plasmon mediated light outcoupling mechanism also responsible for the relatively low extraction efficiency.