Efficient THz lasers and broadband amplifiers based on quantum cascade gain media

One of the most important applications for Terahertz (THz) quantum cascade (QC) lasers is to provide compact and powerful frequency-stabilized solid-state sources as local oscillators in heterodyne receivers for astronomical studies. The first part of the thesis is dedicated to the device cavity design, fabrication and characterization of the microstrip antenna coupled third-order distributed feedback QC lasers aimed for 2.060 THz atomic oxygen line. THz travelling-wave QC amplifiers are highly desired to achieve broadband amplification of THz radiation in free space. The second part of the thesis focuses on the development of 4.3 THz travelling-wave QC amplifier by monolithically integrating horn antennas and attaching silicon lenses at the metal-metal waveguide facets.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Cai, Xiaowei, Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Qing Hu.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/93073

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/93073