Coupling terahertz radiation between sub-wavelength metal-metal waveguides and free space using monolithically integrated horn antennae
Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 20, pp. 18387-18393 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.018387
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Abstract
Broadband horn antennae are presented that efficiently couple terahertz radiation between sub-wavelength metal-metal waveguides and free space. Sub-picosecond terahertz pulses were coupled into and out from sub-wavelength parallel-plate waveguides by using the horn antennae in a terahertz time-domain spectrometer. Monolithic antennae were fabricated at the facets of metal-metal terahertz quantum cascade lasers, and laser action was observed for devices emitting at 1.4 THz, 2.3 THz and 3.2 THz. A good far-field laser radiation pattern (FWHM less than 11 °) is obtained as a result of the significant expansion of the optical mode by the antenna.
© 2009 Optical Society of America
OCIS Codes
(140.5965) Lasers and laser optics : Semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade
(300.6495) Spectroscopy : Spectroscopy, teraherz
ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics
History
Original Manuscript: August 31, 2009
Revised Manuscript: September 23, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: September 23, 2009
Published: September 25, 2009
Citation
J. Lloyd-Hughes, G. Scalari, A. van Kolck, M. Fischer, M. Beck, and J. Faist, "Coupling terahertz radiation between sub-wavelength metal-metal waveguides and free space using monolithically integrated horn antennae," Opt. Express 17, 18387-18393 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-20-18387
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