Terahertz (THz) Photonics

Abstract

(U) The Terahertz (THz) Photonics program will enable semiconductor continuous-wave laser sources that are THz frequency sources operating at room-temperature. Approaches to such sources include quantum cascade lasers and quantum dot lasers. Although the field of THz photonics has grown considerably, the physical path to an efficient continuous wave laser source at room temperature has eluded researchers prior to this program. The program will demonstrate designs that enable laser sources at these frequencies by mitigating the degradation of population inversion at room temperature. The program will invent an alternative laser active-region design, or more radically, use a new material system such as the gallium arsenide-based system to maintain the population inversion for lasing at room temperature. Highly efficient laser sources for portable systems such as infra-red counter-measures and active imagers will be enabled by this program.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2011
Source ID
409adb400d2403bad171215f3fe2df60

Tags

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing

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