Back to results
US 8,619,832 B2Granted
Lens coupled quantum cascade laser
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsQing Hu, Alan Wei Min Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Terahertz quantum cascade (QC) devices are disclosed that can operate, e.g., in a range of about 1 THz to about 10 THz. In some embodiments, QC lasers are disclosed in which an optical element (e.g., a lens) is coupled to an output facet of the laser's active region to enhance coupling of the lasing radiation from the active region to an external environment. In other embodiments, terahertz amplifier and tunable terahertz QC lasers are disclosed.
Claims26
A quantum cascade laser, comprising:
- an active region for generating lasing radiation in a frequency range of about 1 to about 10 Terahertz, said active region having an output facet through which radiation is coupled to an external environment, and
- a waveguide formed of an upper metallic layer and a lower metallic layer, each layer being disposed on a surface of said active region so as to confine one or more modes of said lasing radiation within said active region, and
- an optical element optically coupled to said output facet and in physical contact therewith so as to enhance coupling of radiation from the active region to the external environment.
A quantum cascade laser, comprising:
- an active region for generating lasing radiation in a frequency range of about 1 to about 10 Terahertz, said active region having an output facet through which radiation is coupled to an external environment, and
- a waveguide formed of an upper metallic layer and a lower metallic layer, each layer being disposed on a surface of said active region so as to confine one or more modes of said lasing radiation within said active region, and
- an optical element optically coupled to said output facet and in physical contact therewith so as to enhance coupling of radiation from the active region to the external environment while reducing a maximum operating temperature of the laser at which the lasing radiation is generated by a value less than about 10 degrees Celsius.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.