Open AccessTuning a distributed feedback laser with a coupled microcavity
Author(s) -
L. Mahler,
Alessandro Tredicucci,
Fabio Beltram,
Harvey E. Beere,
D. A. Ritchie
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.18.019185
Subject(s) - resonator , optics , cascade , laser , coupling (piping) , terahertz radiation , distributed feedback laser , range (aeronautics) , quantum cascade laser , spontaneous emission , optoelectronics , physics , semiconductor laser theory , simple (philosophy) , optical cavity , materials science , chemistry , chromatography , metallurgy , composite material , philosophy , epistemology
We show that a distributed-feedback terahertz quantum cascade laser can be tuned with a coupled microcavity by anti-crossing of the respective eigenfrequencies. In this proof-of-concept experiment, a tuning range of 20 GHz is obtained, in good agreement with a simple finite element model, which shows that the tuning is determined by the coupling strength between the resonators. The concept could be applied to any laser cavity, but becomes progressively more attractive the lower the emission frequency.