Abstract-Engineered far-fields of metal-metal terahertz quantum cascade lasers with integrated planar horn structures

F. Wang, I. Kundu, L. Chen, L. Li, E. H. Linfield, A. G. Davies, S. Moumdji, R. Colombelli, J. Mangeney, J. Tignon, and S. S. Dhillon

https://www.osapublishing.org/oe/abstract.cfm?uri=oe-24-3-2174

The far-field emission profile of terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in metal-metal waveguides is controlled in directionality and form through planar horn-type shape structures, whilst conserving a broad spectral response. The structures produce a gradual change in the high modal confinement of the waveguides and permit an improved far-field emission profile and resulting in a four-fold increase in the emitted output power. The two-dimensional far-field patterns are measured at 77 K and are agreement in with 3D modal simulations. The influence of parasitic high-order transverse modes is shown to be controlled by engineering the horn structure (ridge and horn widths), allowing only the fundamental mode to be coupled out.

© 2016 Optical Society of America

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