Heterogeneous terahertz quantum cascade lasers exceeding 1.9 THz spectral bandwidth and featuring dual comb operation

Abstract

We report on a heterogeneous active region design for terahertz quantum cascade laser based frequency combs. Dynamic range, spectral bandwidth and output power have been significantly improved with respect to previous designs. When individually operating the lasers, narrow and stable intermode beatnote indicate frequency comb operation up to a spectral bandwidth of 1.1 THz, while in a dispersion-dominated regime a bandwidth up to 1.94 THz at a center frequency of 3 THz can be reached. A self-detected dual-comb setup has been used to verify the frequency comb nature of the lasers.

Keywords

• terahertz
• frequency comb
• quantum cascade laser