Open AccessBroadband THz lasing from a photon-phonon quantum cascade structure
Author(s) -
Giacomo Scalari,
Maria I. Amanti,
Christoph Walther,
Romain Terazzi,
Mattias Beck,
Jérôme Faist
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.008043
Subject(s) - lasing threshold , quantum cascade laser , optics , cascade , laser , physics , terahertz radiation , photon , phonon , optoelectronics , spontaneous emission , materials science , condensed matter physics , chemistry , chromatography
Laser emission over a broad range of frequencies from 2.8 to 4.1 THz is reported for a two-quantum well, photon-phonon cascade structure. Maximum operating temperatures of 125 K are reported, with optical peak powers in eccess of 30 mW from a double-metal ridge waveguide. The broadband nature of the gain curve is identified as due to coherent coupling of the injector and upper lasing states. Internal quantum efficiencies reaching 43 % are evaluated at 10 K.The laser operates in both polarities, showing laser action in reverse bias up to a temperature of 90 K. Simulations based on a full treatment of the structure with density matrix formalism are also presented and discussed.