Room-Temperature CW Widely-Tunable THz-Generating Laser

We propose a general routine, Genetic-Simulated Annealing method (GSA) for the optimal design of quasi-phase matched (QPM) non-uniform grating. Here this method is applied to the design of the flat broadened wavelength conversion bandwidth of 40-mm aperiodically poled lithium niobate (APLN) based on difference-frequency generation (DFG). The flat conversion bandwidth of APLN is broadened from the original 65nm in a 40-mm periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) to the pre-designated 130 nm in a 40-mm APLN, which conversion efficiency is 6.7 dB higher than that of 12.4-mm PPLN under the same conversion bandwidth.

Summary form only given. The terahertz (THz) band of the electromagnetic spectrum has long held interest in the science and engineering community for its unique applications in imaging and spectroscopy. However, due to the difficulty in generating and receiving THz radiation, only very recently practical and efficient THz systems become available. Due to recent advances in the development and manufacturing of commercially available THz spectroscopy and imaging system many of these applications are coming to fruition. As such, the practical implementation of THz in applications needs to be investigated in order to determine the advantages of THz technology. In this work, THz spectroscopy of photovoltaic semiconductor devices will be performed throughout various critical stages in the fabrication process. Due to the few millimeter penetrating and none-destructive properties of THz radiation it will be possible to monitor semiconductor wafers using THz spectroscopy. This technology has a potential to provide insight into the development of wafer defects earlier in the fabrication process. Using a pulsed Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy system at the University of Arkansas, our group will investigate the electrical properties of semiconductor photovoltaics and will conduct THz imaging of defected ones. Testing the wafers throughout various key steps in fabrication is a process known to produce a functional device. This will then be repeated for the same process, only now with a critical fatal defect such as a buried crack, surface crack or a defect in the doping level. These defects will be intentionally inserted at an early stage to determine if THz spectroscopy can be used to detect them early on. THz characterization of the semiconductors for the impurity doping levels and crystal orientation to be studied will be performed to determine the electrical properties in this frequency range. This will allow for accurate numerical simulation to compare with the experimental results.

The effects of employing two different nonlinear crystals, MgO:PPLN (MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate) and LBO (lithium triborate), on output power, beam quality and frequency-doubling efficiency are studied. A continuous 532 nm green laser was generated by using a ring extra resonant cavity. Using a quasi-phase-matching MgO:PPLN crystal, 2.1 W of green laser was produced from a 4 W single-frequency fiber laser operating at 1064 nm. The beam quality factors, M 2 x and M 2 y , were measured at 1.114 and 1.189, respectively, with a power stability of 0.8%. In contrast, when using a type Ⅰ phase-matching LBO crystal, 10.6 W of 532 nm green laser was achieved and the beam quality factors, M 2 x and M 2 y , were 1.618 and 1.169, with a power stability of 1.01%. Experimental results revealed that LBO crystals exhibited randomly varying higher-order modes within the resonant cavity during frequency doubling, whereas the MgO:PPLN system maintained fundamental-mode operation, enabling easier locking, a lower output threshold, and superior power stability. However, LBO crystals demonstrated advantages in larger crystal dimensions, enhanced thermal dissipation, and higher output power.

We report a diffraction-limited photonic terahertz (THz) source with linewidth <10 MHz that can be used for nonlinear THz studies in the continuous wave (CW) regime with uninterrupted tunability in a broad range of THz frequencies. THz output is produced in orientation-patterned (OP) gallium arsenide (GaAs) via intracavity frequency mixing between the two closely spaced resonating signal and idler waves of an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) operating near λ = 2 μm. The doubly resonant type II OPO is based on a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) pumped by a single-frequency Yb:YAG disc laser at 1030 nm. We take advantage of the enhancement of both optical fields inside a high-finesse OPO cavity: with 10 W of 1030 nm pump, 100 W of intracavity power near 2 μm was attained with GaAs inside cavity. This allows dramatic improvement in terms of generated THz power, as compared to the state-of-the art CW methods. We achieved >25 μW of single-frequency tunable CW THz output power scalable to >1 mW with proper choice of pump laser wavelength.

Vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs), also referred as semiconductor disk lasers (SDLs), have emerged at the frontier between solid-state and semiconductor laser technologies. Therefore, these high-brightness light sources draw important advantages from both semiconductor and solid-state lasers: the simplicity to engineer the emission properties of semiconductors is combined with the functionality of solid-state lasers owing to the use of external cavity architectures. This combination has enabled obtaining outstanding results in terms of wavelength coverage (from visible to mid-IR), high-power (100W-level), single-frequency operation, efficient intracavity frequency conversion, and ultra-short pulse generation (down to sub-picosecond range with GHz repetition rate). Moreover, the low-cost of broad-area diodes used to pump the VECSELs and the broad-band pump absorption, have made the optically-pumped-VECSELs practical and cost effective.

In this paper, noise characteristics of second-harmonic generation (SHG) in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) using the quasi-phase-matching (QPM) technique are studied experimentally. In the experiment, a 0.78-mm second-harmonic (SH) wave was generated when a 1.55-mm fundamental wave passed through a PPLN crystal (bulk or annealed proton-exchanged waveguide). The fundamental and SH waves were then separated through a beam splitter and sent to two photodetectors, respectively. The time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of the fundamental and SH waves were analyzed. By using the pump-probe method, the noise characteristics were studied further when 532-nm irradiation light co-propagated with the 1.55-mm fundamental light in the PPLN crystals. It is found that for the bulk and waveguides of PPLN crystals, the SH wave has a higher relative noise level than the corresponding fundamental wave. For the same fundamental wave, the SH wave has lower noise in a bulk crystal than in a waveguide, and in MgO-doped PPLN than in undoped PPLN. In addition, the photorefractive effect incurred by the irradiation light can influence the SHG noise.

This paper will examine a new side to packaging: Terahertz (THz) Packaging. The goal of this paper is three fold: 1) characterizing dielectric materials for THz packaging applications; 2) Using these materials in the fabrication of THz passives (integrated and quasi-optical); and 3) Demonstrating non-destructive evaluation of packages using THz. In this manuscript, detailed characteristics of dielectric packaging materials in the THz spectral region are presented along with the theory used for the characterization procedure. THz non destructive evaluation (NDE) of electronics packages is observed in the form of delamination thickness detection and moisture content studies. Using the materials characterized, a planar THz power splitter and a quasi-optical THz bandstop interference filter are demonstrated. Furthermore, the power splitter is used as a THz microfluidic sensor.

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy has high sensitivity for the interaction between molecules and vibration of large molecules. Besides, it is well known that infrared (IR) spectroscopy can be used to detect the vibration of functional groups. Hence, the comparison of the conventional diagnosis method using IR spectroscopy and THz spectroscopy is expected for more potential diagnosis. In this study, the comparison between THz spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy for deteriorated hydrocarbon liquids has been conducted for the degraded insulating oils. The surveyed samples are pure dodecane and mineral oil. The degraded samples are made by heating in the oxygen atmosphere. In addition, we also measured the breakdown voltage and the volume resistivity to know the states of degraded insulating oil. The experimental results show that oxidation causes spectral changes in the both of THz and IR regions. The spectral change in the IR region is due to carbonyl group and hydroxyl group vibrations. Whereas, in the THz region, the spectral change originates from the modification of intermolecular interaction. The degradation phenomena of the insulating oil contribute to higher carbonyl/hydroxyl content and associated by stronger intermolecular interaction that leads to its lower breakdown voltage.

Terahertz (THz) wave science and technology have been found countless applications in biomedical imaging, security screening, and non-destructive testing as they approach maturity. However, due to the challenge of high ambient moisture absorption, the development of remote open-air broadband THz spectroscopy technology is lagging behind the compelling need that exists in homeland security, astronomy and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, the underlying physical mechanisms behind the interaction between the THz wave and laserinduced plasma which responds strongly to electromagnetic waves have not been fully understood. This review aims to explain the light-plasma interaction at THz frequencies within a semiclassical framework along with experimental study of the femtosecond-laserinduced nitrogen plasma fluorescence under the illumination of single-cycle THz pulses. The results indicate that THz-radiation-enhanced-emission-of-fluorescence (THz-REEF) is dominated by electron kinetics in the THz field and the electron-impact excitation of gas molecules/ions. The information of the time-dependent THz field can be recovered from the measured time-resolved THz-REEF from single-color laser induced plasma with the help of the bias as local oscillator. The calculations and experimental verification lead to complete understanding of the science behind these effects and push forward to extend their capabilities in related applications such as remote THz sensing, plasma diagnostics and ultrafast photoluminescence modulation. Systematic studies in selected gases including neon, argon, krypton, xenon, methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and n-butane (C4H10) gases were performed to obtain an improved understanding of the THz-REEF. The dependences of the enhanced fluorescence on the THz field, laser excitation intensity, gas pressure, and intrinsic atomic properties were experimentally characterized. Both narrow line emission and broad continuum emission of the gas plasma were enhanced by the THz field. Their fluorescence enhancement ratios and time-resolved enhanced fluorescence were largely dependent on the scattering cross section and ionization potential of atoms. For the first time, we demonstrated a novel ‘all-optical’ technique of broadband THz wave remote sensing by coherently manipulating the fluorescence emission from asymmetrically ionized gas plasma that interacted with THz waves. By studying the ultrafast electron dynamics under the single cycle THz radiation, we found that the fluorescence emission from laser-induced air plasma was highly dependent on the THz electric field and the symmetry of the electron drift velocity distribution created by two-color laser fields. The time-resolved THz-REEF can be tailored by switching the relative two-color phase and laser polarizations. Owing to the high atmospheric transparency and omni-directional emission pattern of fluorescence, this technique can be used to measure THz pulses at standoff distances with minimal water vapor absorption and unlimited directionality for optical signal collection. The coherent THz wave detection at a distance of 10 m had been demonstrated. The combination of this method and previously demonstrated remote THz generation would eventually make remote THz spectroscopy available. We also introduced a unique plasma diagnostic method utilizing the THz-wave-enhanced fluorescence emission from the excited atoms or molecules. The electron relaxation time and plasma density were deduced through applying the electron impact excitation/ionization and electron-ion recombination processes to the measured time-delay-dependent enhanced fluorescence. The electron collision dynamics of nitrogen plasma excited at different gas pressures and laser pulse energies were systematically investigated. This plasma diagnostic method offers picosecond temporal resolution and is capable of omnidirectional optical signal collection. The ultrafast quenching dynamics of laser-pulse-induced photoluminescence in semiconductors under the radiation of single-cycle THz pulses was studied. It was found that the quenching in both cadmium telluride (CdTe) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) was linearly proportional to the intensity of incident THz waves and reaches up to 17% and 4% respectively at the peak intensity of 13 MW/cm2. The THz-wave-induced heating of the carriers and lattice and the subsequent decreased efficiency of photocarrier generation and recombination were most likely to be responsible for the quenching. This is potentially useful for the applications of a non-invasive ultrafast light modulator for photoluminescence devices with picoseconds switching time in the fields of the light-emitting devices and optical communication.

Terahertz (THz) radiation is critical to the areas of security, medicine, communications, and consumer applications. THz generation is often achieved using lithium niobate, LiNbO 3 , since it has a high nonlinear coefficient in this regime (d 33 =180 pm/V [1]). Dramatic improvement to the generation efficiency has been achieved by incorporating this material into waveguiding configurations [2,3], since waveguides allow the pump pulse to remain confined over large distance (millimeters or longer). To date, waveguides investigated for THz generation utilize transverse core dimensions larger than a few microns. However, when the waveguide core is sub-wavelength with respect to the pump wavelengths, as well as the generated THz wavelengths, another benefit is observed: substantial broadening of the generated THz bandwidth. Here, we report on a sub-wavelength SiO 2 -LiNbO 3 -SiO 2 slab waveguide that produces wideband THz radiation and emits it in the form of Cherenkov waves.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials. Their large pores make them particularly interesting for membranes, gas separation, and gas storage. Furthermore, MOFs are ultralight, making them suitable for a large realm of exciting applications ranging from wearable devices to space technology. Optimizing MOFs for these applications demands a detailed understanding of their low energy dynamics and photophysics, which can be provided by terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. MOFs exhibit structural modes, or phonons, with energies in the meV range, which corresponds to the THz spectral range (0.1–10 THz, 0.4–40 meV). Understanding these modes is crucial in determining how a MOF interacts with guest molecules in the process of gas capture and storage. In this perspective, we discuss how gas-MOF interactions alter the MOFs’ spectral fingerprints. We demonstrate that THz spectroscopy can be used for gas adsorption monitoring and explain how density functional theory, together with THz spectra, can illuminate the dynamic structure of MOFs, providing unique insight into their functionality. THz is also a contact free probe for conductivity and allows us to measure short range conductivity within an individual MOF crystal. We will discuss the advantages of THz as a conductivity probe for MOFs as compared to more established direct current techniques. We will then expand our view to incorporate ultrafast photoconductivity in MOFs measured via optical pump-THz probe spectroscopy, in comparison to more established ultrafast spectroscopic tools such as optical transient absorption and photoluminescence. We will supplement this section with a discussion of THz studies on perovskites, which unveiled electron–phonon interactions not yet explored in MOFs.

Vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) have proved to be versatile lasers which allow for various emission schemes which on the one hand include remarkably high-power multi-mode or single-frequency continuouswave operation, and on the other hand two-color as well as mode-locked emission. Particularly, the combination of semiconductor gain medium and external cavity provides a unique access to high-brightness output, a high beam quality and wavelength flexibility. Moreover, the exploitation of intra-cavity frequency conversion further extends the achievable radiation wavelength, spanning a spectral range from the UV to the THz. In this work, recent advances in the field of VECSELs are summarized and the demonstration of self-mode-locking (SML) VECSELs with sub-ps pulses is highlighted. Thereby, we present studies which were not only performed for a quantum-well-based VECSEL, but also for a quantum-dot VECSEL.

Terahertz (THz) spectral region remains a scientifically rich but technologically underdeveloped research area. Since many molecules possess THz spectral fingerprints (ranging from 0.1THz up to 10 THz), and a large variety of non-conductive materials are transparent to THz radiation. THz radiation promises various potential applications. Nonetheless, there exists a shortage of natural materials capable of interacting with THz radiation from which useful THz detectors, emitters, switches, and other devices may be manufactured. Metamaterials, artificially designable structures that render desired optical properties at a given wavelength, could be alternative candidates to design THz devices. They are made by assembling sub-wavelength unit cells called meta-atoms. Metamaterials are well-known for their interesting electromagnetic characteristics. They exhibit extraordinary and unusual responses such as negative refractive index, subwavelength imaging, and invisibility cloak. Polarization conversion devices play a paramount role in the field of photonics because of their ability to manipulate the polarization state of electromagnetic (EM) waves. Such devices have paved the way to significant advancements in prominent technological fields such as communication, imaging, and remote sensing. Recent researches confirm that polarization conversion of the EM waves in the THz frequency regime can be achieved using metamaterials (MM). MMs are artificial materials forged by repeated arrays of sub-wavelength sized meta-atoms. With appropriate designing of these meta-atoms, they can be engineered to manipulate various aspects of the EM wave interacting with them, especially its polarization state.

Laser pumped terahertz (THz) wave up-conversion detection with high sensitivity, fast responsivity and wide frequency band is achieved at room temperature, based on home-made organic nonlinear crystals 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate (DAST). Green laser pulses pumped KTiOPO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; optical parametric oscillators are utilized as the sources of dual-wavelength near-infrared (NIR) beams (1.3–1.6 μm, for THz-wave difference frequency generation (DFG)) and a single NIR beam (1.2–1.4 μm, for up-conversion detection). The nonlinear medium for both THz-DFG and detection is DAST (grown by CETC-46). A nanosecond-time-resolved THz pulse is obtained with an InGaAs p-i-n photo-diode. The spectrum of the up-converted NIR light is acquired, which allows us to measure the THz frequency indirectly. The sensitivity (also at room temperature) is 4 orders better at 19 THz than the sensitivity of a commercial thermal detector (Golay Cell). The wide frequency band operation is realized with different sets of band-pass filters, which cover the entire range from 3.15 to 29.82 THz except 8.4 THz of the strong absorption peak of DAST. The dynamic range of a THz source based on DFG can be commonly improved by 2–3 orders, by changing the traditional thermal detector with the up-conversion detection. The presented technology can promote the applications of DFG THz source in the fields of high-resolution spectroscopy and imaging.

Effects of Hydration Levels on the Bandwidth of Microwave Resonant Absorption Induced by Confined Acoustic Vibrations