Open AccessTunable terahertz wave generation through a bimodal laser diode and plasmonic photomixer
Author(s) -
Seungmi Yang,
Regan Watts,
X. Li,
N. Wang,
V. Cojocaru,
J. O’Gorman,
Liam P. Barry,
Mona Jarrahi
Publication year - 2015
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.23.031206
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , laser , optics , optoelectronics , plasmon , materials science , laser linewidth , photomixing , far infrared laser , diode , terahertz spectroscopy and technology , physics , terahertz metamaterials
We demonstrate a compact, robust, and stable terahertz source based on a novel two section digital distributed feedback laser diode and plasmonic photomixer. Terahertz wave generation is achieved through difference frequency generation by pumping the plasmonic photomixer with two output optical beams of the two section digital distributed feedback laser diode. The laser is designed to offer an adjustable terahertz frequency difference between the emitted wavelengths by varying the applied currents to the laser sections. The plasmonic photomixer is comprised of an ultrafast photoconductor with plasmonic contact electrodes integrated with a logarithmic spiral antenna. We demonstrate terahertz wave generation with 0.15-3 THz frequency tunability, 2 MHz linewidth, and less than 5 MHz frequency stability over 1 minute, at useful power levels for practical imaging and sensing applications.