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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 16, Iss. 8 — Apr. 14, 2008
  • pp: 5206–5217

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 16 > Issue 8 > Page 5206

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers based on two-dimensional photonic crystal resonators

Lorenzo Sirigu, Romain Terazzi, Maria I. Amanti, Marcella Giovannini, Jèrome Faist, L. Andrea Dunbar, and Romuald Houdré  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 16, Issue 8, pp. 5206-5217 (2008)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.16.005206


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Abstract

We demonstrate high spectral control from surface emitting THz Quantum Cascade Lasers based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity. The perforated top metallic contact acts as an in plane resonator in a tight double-metal plasmonic waveguide providing a strong optical feedback without needing three-dimensional cavity features. The optical far-field patterns do not exhibit the expected symmetry and the shape of the cavity mode. The difference is attributed to a metal surface plasmon mediated light outcoupling mechanism also responsible for the relatively low extraction efficiency.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(140.3070) Lasers and laser optics : Infrared and far-infrared lasers
(240.6680) Optics at surfaces : Surface plasmons
(130.5296) Integrated optics : Photonic crystal waveguides
(140.5965) Lasers and laser optics : Semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: December 21, 2007
Revised Manuscript: February 29, 2008
Manuscript Accepted: March 20, 2008
Published: April 1, 2008

Virtual Issues
Vol. 3, Iss. 5 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Lorenzo Sirigu, Romain Terazzi, Maria I. Amanti, Marcella Giovannini, Jèrome Faist, L. Andrea Dunbar, and Romuald Houdré, "Terahertz quantum cascade lasers based on two-dimensional photonic crystal resonators," Opt. Express 16, 5206-5217 (2008)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-16-8-5206


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