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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 20, Iss. 19 — Sep. 10, 2012
  • pp: 20855–20862

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 20 > Issue 19 > Page 20855

Mode-locking of a terahertz laser by direct phase synchronization

J. Maysonnave, K. Maussang, J. R. Freeman, N. Jukam, J. Madéo, P. Cavalié, R. Rungsawang, S.P. Khanna, E.H. Linfield, A.G. Davies, H.E. Beere, D.A. Ritchie, S.S. Dhillon, and J. Tignon  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 20, Issue 19, pp. 20855-20862 (2012)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.20.020855


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Abstract

A novel scheme to achieve mode-locking of a multimode laser is demonstrated. Traditional methods to produce ultrashort laser pulses are based on modulating the cavity gain or losses at the cavity roundtrip frequency, favoring the pulsed emission. Here, we rather directly act on the phases of the modes, resulting in constructive interference for the appropriated phase relationship. This was performed on a terahertz quantum cascade laser by multimode injection seeding with an external terahertz pulse, resulting in phase mode-locked terahertz laser pulses of 9ps duration, characterized unambiguously in the time domain.

© 2012 OSA

OCIS Codes
(140.3520) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, injection-locked
(140.4050) Lasers and laser optics : Mode-locked lasers
(140.5965) Lasers and laser optics : Semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade
(300.6495) Spectroscopy : Spectroscopy, teraherz

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: May 8, 2012
Revised Manuscript: July 19, 2012
Manuscript Accepted: July 20, 2012
Published: August 28, 2012

Citation
J. Maysonnave, K. Maussang, J. R. Freeman, N. Jukam, J. Madéo, P. Cavalié, R. Rungsawang, S.P. Khanna, E.H. Linfield, A.G. Davies, H.E. Beere, D.A. Ritchie, S.S. Dhillon, and J. Tignon, "Mode-locking of a terahertz laser by direct phase synchronization," Opt. Express 20, 20855-20862 (2012)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-20-19-20855


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