We study the use of polymeric components to achieve efficient outcoupling of radiation from double-metal-waveguide THz quantum cascade lasers. We employ cyclicolefincopolymer to realize optical fibers with diameters between 60mm and 1000mm, and characterize their absorption coefficient at 2.9THz. We show that assembling a fiber on the facet of a singleplasmon quantum cascade laser improves its far field radiation pattern, making it narrower. We also provide a design of a broadband directional coupler that can be used to couple radiation from a doublemetal quantum cascade laser waveguide into the tapered end of a metal coated optical fiber.

Date Published: 7 March 2014
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 8985, Terahertz, RF, Millimeter, and Submillimeter-Wave Technology and Applications VII, 89851F (7 March 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2041219

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8985:
Terahertz, RF, Millimeter, and Submillimeter-Wave Technology and Applications VII
Laurence P. Sadwick; Créidhe M. O'Sullivan, Editor(s)