Kilowatt-peak Terahertz-wave Generation and Sub-femtojoule Terahertz-wave Pulse Detection Based on Nonlinear Optical Wavelength-conversion at Room Temperature

Intense Terahertz (THz)-wave generation and highly sensitive THz-wave detection were obtained by wavelength conversion with nonlinear optical susceptibility χ⁽²⁾ of LiNbO₃ crystals. Maximum peak output of about 50 kW (5 μJ/pulse) was demonstrated in an injection-seeded THz-wave parametric generator pumped by post-amplified emission from a microchip Nd:YAG laser. Using the sub-nanosecond pulse duration of the laser proposed herein provides effective mitigation of stimulated Brillouin scattering in LiNbO₃, producing higher gain for wavelength conversion between near-infrared (near-IR) pump light and THz waves. Monochromatic THz radiation was obtained in the continuous tuning range of 0.7–2.9 THz. Additionally, highly sensitive THz-wave detection was demonstrated based on up-conversion from THz waves to near-IR light as well as efficient THz-wave generation. The signal generated with non-collinear phase-matching condition showed spectroscopic detection on the screen apart from the LiNbO₃ crystal. Highly sensitive detection with minimum energy of about 80 aJ/pulse (0.8 μW at peak) and a large dynamic range of more than 100 dB were achieved in this experiment.     

Frequency Tunable sub-THz Gyrotron for Direct Measurements of Positronium Hyperfine Structure

The feasibility of a high-power sub-THz gyrotron with smooth wideband frequency tuning suitable for direct measurement of the positronium hyperfine structure is demonstrated numerically using both averaged equations and PIC-code simulations. Analytical estimates show that the frequency-tunable powerful sub-THz radiation can be generated through the excitation of high-order axial modes in a gyrotron with short cavity driven by an electron beam with high current. Simulations show that an output power of 0.5–1 kW can be obtained at a frequency of about 0.2 THz within a 10-GHz band which are the parameters needed for testing of quantum electrodynamics predictions through the spectroscopy of positronium.     

高能量、快速可调谐太赫兹参量振荡器

基于受激电磁耦子散射的太赫兹(THz)波参量振荡器是产生高能量、相干THz波的有效手段之一,实验中采用垂直晶体表面出射结构,在1.63 THz处实现了最高单脉冲能量为634 nJ的THz波输出。利用电控振镜快速改变泵浦光入射到MgO:LN晶体中的角度,实现了0.75 THz~2.81 THz范围内的快速调谐,该辐射源可以满足THz波在生物医学、太赫兹通信、环境监测等应用领域的需求。     

Tunable,Room Temperature CMOS-Compatible THz Emitters Based on Nonlinear Mixing in Microdisk Resonators

We propose and investigate in detail a novel tunable, compact, room temperature terahertz (THz) emitter using individual microdisk resonators for both optical and THz waves with the capability of radiating THz field in 0.5–10 THz range with tuning frequency resolution of 0.05 THz. Enhanced THz generation is achieved by employing a nonlinear optical disk resonator with a high value of second-order nonlinearity (χ ⁽²⁾) in order to facilitate the difference-frequency generation (DFG) via nonlinear mixing with the choice of two appropriate input infrared optical waves. Efficient coupling of infrared waves from bus to the nonlinear disk is ensured by satisfying critical coupling condition. Phase matching condition for efficient DFG process is also met by employing modal phase matching technique. Our simulations show that THz output power can be reached up to milliwatt (mW) level with high optical to THz conversion efficiency. The proposed source is Silicon on Insulator (SoI) technology compatible enabling the monolithic integration with Si complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) electronics including plasmonic THz detectors.     

Room-Temperature Oscillation of Resonant Tunneling Diodes close to 2 THz and Their Functions for Various Applications

Compact and coherent source is a key component for various applications of the terahertz (THz) wave. We report on our recent results of THz oscillators using resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs). To achieve high-frequency oscillation, the electron delay time of RTD was reduced with a narrow quantum well and an optimized collector spacer thickness. Conduction loss at the air bridge connecting RTD and slot antenna, which works as a resonator and a radiator, was also reduced. By these structures, a fundamental oscillation up to 1.92 THz was obtained at room temperature. Theoretical calculation shows that an oscillation over 2 THz is further expected by improved structures of RTD and antenna. Using the offset slot antenna and two-element array configuration, high output power of 0.61 mW was obtained at 620 GHz. A direct intensity modulation of RTD oscillators up to 30 GHz, which is useful for high-speed wireless data transmission, was demonstrated. By the integration of a varactor diode, wide frequency sweep of 580–700 GHz in a single device and 580–900 GHz in a four-element array were also demonstrated. This result expands possible applications of RTD oscillators.     

Terahertz Frequency-Domain Spectroscopy of Low-Pressure Acetonitrile Gas by a Photomixing Terahertz Synthesizer Referenced to Dual Optical Frequency Combs

A terahertz (THz) frequency synthesizer based on photomixing of two near-infrared lasers with a sub-THz to THz frequency offset is a powerful tool for spectroscopy of polar gas molecules due to its broad spectral coverage; however, its frequency accuracy and resolution are relatively low. To tune the output frequency continuously and widely while maintaining its traceability to a frequency standard, we developed a photomixing THz synthesizer phase-locked to dual optical frequency combs (OFCs). While the phase-locking to dual OFCs ensured continuous tuning within a spectral range of 120 GHz, in addition to the traceability to the frequency standard, use of a broadband uni-traveling carrier photodiode for photomixing enabled the generation of CW-THz radiation within a frequency range from 0.2 to 1.5 THz. We demonstrated THz frequency-domain spectroscopy of gas-phase acetonitrile CH₃CN and its isotope CH₃ ¹³CN in the frequency range of 0.600–0.720 THz using this THz synthesizer. Their rotational transitions were assigned with a frequency accuracy of 8.42?×?10^?8 and a frequency resolution of 520 kHz. Furthermore, the concentration of the CH₃CN gas at 20 Pa was determined to be (5.41?±?0.05)?×?10¹⁴ molecules/cm³ by curve fitting analysis of the measured absorbance spectrum, and the mixture ratio of the mixed CH₃CN/CH₃ ¹³CN gas was determined to be 1:2.26 with a gas concentration of 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ molecules/cm³. The developed THz synthesizer is highly promising for high-precision THz-FDS of low-pressure molecular gases and will enable the qualitative and quantitative analyses of multiple gases.     

Compact Tunable Narrowband Terahertz-Wave Source Based on Difference Frequency Generation Pumped by Dual Fiber Lasers in MgO:LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

We demonstrate a high-average-power, single longitudinal-mode, and tunable terahertz (THz)-wave source based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in a MgO:LiNbO₃ (MgO:LN) crystal. The waves for DFG are generated using a pair of Yb-doped pulsed fiber lasers with a master oscillator power fiber amplifier configuration. The average power of the THz-wave output reaches 450 μW at 1.07 THz (280 μm) at a linewidth of 7.2 GHz, and the tunability ranges from 0.35 to 1.07 THz under the pulse repetition frequency of 500 kHz. A short burn-in test of the THz wave is also carried out, and the output power stability is within ± 5% of the averaged power without any active stabilizing technique. The combination of MgO:LN-DFG and stable and robust fiber laser sources is highly promising for the development of high-average-power THz-wave sources, particularly in the high transmission sub-THz region. This approach may enable new applications of THz-wave spectroscopy in imaging and remote sensing.     

Electrooptic tuning of a fiber ring semiconductor laser

This letter reports recent results obtained in the area of wavelength tuning of semiconductor lasers. The laser is constructed from an InGaAsP 1300-nm semiconductor optical travelling-wave amplifier. The cavity consists of a fiber ring resonator using a low fiber coupler as the output mirror. The intra-cavity electrooptic tuner works as a one-stage Lyot filter and allows wavelength tuning over a spectral range of 20 nm with a tuning rate of 0.05 nm V^-1. This is one of the best results reported using electrooptic birefringent tuning systems     

可调谐双波长半导体外腔激光器性能研究

提出并实现了利用笼式共轴搭建的傅里叶变换外 腔结构(FTECS)产生大范围电流下双模式强度保持相等 的双波长激光器,通过改变电流实现输出功率连续可调的双模输出,可以作为混频太赫兹(THz)源的种 子源,对多波长脉冲设备的研究有借鉴意义。实验结果表明,在阈值电流8mA之上从1.45I_th到3.85I_th 范围内,用压电陶瓷推动镀金条镜改变反馈,实现了间距1THz的双模输出, 双模式峰值强度差值小于 0.07dB,边模抑制比(SMSR)可以达到 30dB以上。进一步研究了双模式的峰值强度与条镜位置和激光器电 流变化之间的关系,对后续小型化结构设计相关可快速调谐性和稳定性等参考。 。     

Terahertz Sensor Using Photonic Crystal Cavity and Resonant Tunneling Diodes

In this paper, we report on a terahertz (THz) sensing system. Compared to previously reported systems, it has increased system sensitivity and reduced size. Both are achieved by using a photonic crystal (PC) cavity as a resonator and compact resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) as signal source and as detector. The measured quality factor of the PC cavity is higher than 10,000, and its resonant frequency is 318 GHz. To demonstrate the operation of the refractive index sensing system, dielectric tapes of various thicknesses are attached to the PC cavity and the change in the resonator’s refractive index is measured. The figure of merit of refractive index sensing using the developed system is one order higher than that of previous studies, which used metallic metamaterial resonators. The frequency of the RTD-based source can be swept from 316 to 321 GHz by varying the RTD direct current voltage. This effect is used to realize a compact frequency tunable signal source. Measurements using a commercial signal source and detector are carried out to verify the accuracy of the data obtained using RTDs as a signal source and as a detector.     

The Design of the 394.6 Ghz Continuously Tunable Coaxial Gyrotron for DNP Spectroscopy

Results of the numerical investigations of the coaxial-cavity gyrotron with smooth frequency tuning are presented. The tuning is achieved by moving an internal cone-shaped rod along the device axis, which ensures smooth variations in eigenfrequencies of the cavity. The application of an inner conductor with an impedance surface reduces the thermal load on the internal road. The calculation results demonstrate the possibility of tuning the oscillator frequency by 8 GHz for the 394.6 GHz central frequency (within a frequency band of about 2%) with an output power of about several hundreds watts in the CW regime.     

一种提高波导CO_2激光器支线分辨能力的方法

一、前言 目前,波导CO_2激光器大多采用红外金属光栅(光栅常数d～1/(150))进行选支,光栅分辨本领不高往往要限制最大可调谐频率范围。光栅分辨本领正比于光斑所复盖的光栅条纹数N。波导激光器光斑较小,因而分辨本领不高,改变腔长容易出现支线跳变,从而也就限制频率调谐范围。通常是采用图1方法来解决这一问题。即将焦距f=b的凸透镜置于Z=f=b处,光栅紧挨透镜放置。其中     

Diode-pumped and packaged acoustooptically tunableTi:Er:LiNbO3 waveguide laser of wide tuning range

Design, fabrication, and properties of an acoustooptically tunable Ti:Er:LiNbO₃ waveguide laser of up to 31-nm tuning range in the wavelength band 1530 nm<λ<1575 nm are discussed. The laser cavity is formed by an Au mirror and a dielectric mirror as output coupler, both vacuum-deposited on the polished waveguide endfaces. As tunable intracavity wavelength filter with zero frequency shift, two monolithically integrated single-stage acoustooptical TE-TM-mode converters are used together with two polarization splitters operated as TE- and TM-pass polarizers, respectively. The minimum threshold of about 54 mW (coupled) pump power is obtained at λ≈1561-nm emission wavelength for diode laser pumping at λ_p≈1480 nm. With about 110-mW coupled pump power, up to 320-μW output power is achieved; the emission linewidth is 0.3 nm     

Continuously Frequency Tunable High Power Sub-THz Radiation Source—Gyrotron FU CW VI for 600 MHz DNP-NMR Spectroscopy

A high frequency gyrotron with a 15 T superconducting magnet named Gyrotron FU CW VI has achieved continuous frequency tuning through the relatively wide range of 1.5 GHz near 400 GHz. The operation is at the fundamental cyclotron resonance of the TE₀₆ cavity mode with many higher order axial modes. The output power measured at the end of the circular waveguide system ranges from 10 to 50 watts at the low acceleration voltage of 12 kV for beam electrons. The beam current is also low. It is around 250 mA. This gyrotron is designed as a demountable radiation source for the 600 MHz DNP-NMR spectroscopy. The design and operation results of the gyrotron FU CW VI are presented.     

Development of 394.6 GHz CW Gyrotron (Gyrotron FU CW II) for DNP/Proton-NMR at 600 MHz

Gyrotron FU CW II with an 8 T liquid He free superconducting magnet, the second gyrotron of the THz Gyrotron FU CW Series, has been constructed and the operation test was successfully carried out. It will be used for enhancing the sensitivity of 600 MHz proton-NMR by use of Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP). The designed operation mode of the gyrotron is TE_2,6 at the second harmonic. The corresponding frequency is 394.6 GHz. The real operation frequency is 394.3 GHz at TE₀₆ mode, because of fabrication error of the diameter of the cavity. The operation is in complete CW at the output power of around 30 W or higher at the TE₀₆ cavity mode. There are many other operation modes at the fundamental and the second harmonic. Typical output power of the fundamental and the second harmonic are higher than 100 W and 20 W, respectively. The highest frequency observed up to the present is 443.5 GHz at the second harmonic operation of TE_6,5 mode. The measured results are compared with the theoretical consideration.     

Compact InP-based HBT VCOs with a wide tuning range at W- andD-band

Compact monolithic integrated differential voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) operating in W-band were realized using InP-based heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs). The oscillators, with a total chip size of 0.6 by 0.35 mm², are based on a balanced Colpitts-type topology with a coplanar transmission-line resonator. By varying the voltage across the base-collector junction of the HBT in the current mirror and by changing the current in the VCO, the oscillation frequency can be tuned between 84 and 106 GHz. At 100 GHz, a differential voltage swing of 400 mV is obtained, which should be sufficient to drive 100 Gb/s digital logic. By combining the balanced outputs of a similar differential VCO in a push-push configuration, a compact source with close to -10 dBm output power and a tuning range between 138 and 150 GHz is obtained     

Investigation on phase matching in a THz-wave parametric oscillator

The characteristics of noncollinear phase matching and quasi-phase-matching in the THz-wave parametric oscillator(TPO) are investigated.The expression of the effective parametric gain length under the condition of noncollinear phase matching configuration is deduced.The relationship between the poling period of periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal and the generated THz frequency under the condition of quasi-phase-matching configuration is analyzed.Based on the analyses above we propose a new TPO configuration which ensures the three mixing waves interact collinearly.The effects of operation temperature on phase matching are analyzed.     

Temporal Behavior of the Pump Pulses,Residual Pump Pulses,and THz Pulses for D<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Gas Pumped by a TEA CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Laser

Temporal behavior of the pump pulses, residual pump pulses, and THz pulses for optically pumped D₂O gas molecules was investigated by using a tunable TEA CO₂ laser as the pumping source. The pulse profiles of pump laser pulses, residual pump pulses, and the THz output pulses were measured, simultaneously, at several different gas pressures. For THz pulse, the pulse delay between the THz pulse and the pump pulse was observed and the delay time was observed to increase from 40 to 70 ns with an increase in gas pressure from 500 to 1700 Pa. Both THz pulse broadening and compression were observed, and the pulse broadening effect transformed to the compression effect with increasing the gas pressure. For the residual pump pulse, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the main pulse decreased with increasing gas pressure, and the main pulse disappeared at high gas pressures. The secondary pulses were observed at high gas pressure, and the time intervals of about 518 and 435 ns were observed between the THz output pulse and the secondary residual pump pulse at the pressure of 1400 Pa and 1700 Pa, from which the vibrational relaxation time constants of about 5.45 and 5.55 μs Torr were obtained.     

Rb~(87)激射器用近共焦球面镜腔

本文提出在铷激射器中使用近共焦面镜腔代替传统的圆柱形H_(021)模腔。给出了腔泡设计、腔调谐以及功率耦合方法,对腔频的热稳定性亦作了分析。     

Broadband electronically tunable planar active radiating elementsand spatial power combiners using notch antennas

A Gunn device has been integrated with two types of active planar notch antennas. The first types uses a coplanar waveguide (CPW) resonator an a stepped-notched antenna with bias tuning to achieve a bandwidth of 275 MHz centered at 9.33 GHz with a power output of 14.2±1.5 dBm. The second type uses a CPW resonator with a varactor for frequency tuning to achieve a bandwidth of over 1.3 GHz centered at 9.6 GHz with a power output of 14.5±0.8 dBm. This is equivalent to over 14% electronic tuning bandwidth. Both configurations exhibit a very clean and stable output signal. A theoretical circuit model was developed to facilitate the design. The model agrees well with experimental results. Injection-locking experiments on the second configuration show a locking gain of 30 dB with a locking bandwidth of 30 MHz at 10.2 GHz. Power combining experiments of two-varactor-tuned CPW active notch antenna elements in a broadside configuration have achieved well over 70% combining efficiency throughout the wide tuning range. The circuits have advantages of small size, low cost, and excellent performance