Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are powerful testing grounds for the fundamental physical parameters determined by their quantum nature. The associated wealth of unique physical properties makes the QCL a subject of extensive research, especially across the far-infrared, where the electron-phonon relaxation dynamics, the gain mechanisms and the related intrinsic QCL features need to be extensively investigated. Here, we report a complete overview of the frequency-noise power spectral density of a THz QCL, giving an experimental and analytical evaluation of its intrinsic linewidth and a full investigation of the physics beyond it, offering a new perspective of use of ultra-narrow THz QCL sources as a metrological grade tool for a widespread range of photonic applications.

Date Published: 4 February 2013
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 8631, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices X, 863109 (4 February 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2006029

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8631:
Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices X
Manijeh Razeghi, Editor(s)