Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Part I Bandstructure Engineering, Modeling and State-of-the-Art QCLs
- Part II Active Research Topics
- 7 Quantum Cascade Laser Frequency Combs
- 8 Frequency Noise and Frequency Stabilization of QCLs
- 9 Distributed-Feedback and Beam Shaping in Monolithic Terahertz QCLs
- 10 Metasurface-based THz Quantum Cascade Lasers
- 11 Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser Sources Based on Intra-Cavity Difference-Frequency Generation
- Part III Applications
- Index
10 - Metasurface-based THz Quantum Cascade Lasers
from Part II - Active Research Topics
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 August 2023
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Part I Bandstructure Engineering, Modeling and State-of-the-Art QCLs
- Part II Active Research Topics
- 7 Quantum Cascade Laser Frequency Combs
- 8 Frequency Noise and Frequency Stabilization of QCLs
- 9 Distributed-Feedback and Beam Shaping in Monolithic Terahertz QCLs
- 10 Metasurface-based THz Quantum Cascade Lasers
- 11 Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser Sources Based on Intra-Cavity Difference-Frequency Generation
- Part III Applications
- Index
Summary
This chapter provides an overview of a class terahertz quantum cascade lasers based upon amplifying electromagnetic metasurfaces. The metasurface comprises two-dimensional arrays of sub-wavelength surface radiating antenna elements, in which the antennas are loaded with the quantum cascade laser gain material. Several types devices are described: (a) vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-lasers (VECSELs) in which the amplifying metasurface is paired with external optics to form a laser cavity; (b) monolithic metasurface lasers in which the metasurface array self-oscillates in a coherent supermode; and (c) metasurfaces which operate below threshold as free-space terahertz amplifiers. The metasurface approach allows the realization of large-area radiating apertures while preserving the sub-wavelength sized of the individual metallic waveguide antenna elements. This has resulted in significantly improved performance and functionality in many categories, including lasers with high-quality beam patterns, high-efficiency lasers with scalable output powers, broadband spectral tunability of single-mode emission, and free-space amplification of terahertz beams.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Mid-Infrared and Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers , pp. 310 - 342Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023