Terahertz imaging through self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser

Abstract

We demonstrate terahertz (THz) frequency imaging using a single quantum cascade laser (QCL) device for both generation and sensing of THz radiation. Detection is achieved by utilizing the effect of self-mixing in the THz QCL, and, specifically, by monitoring perturbations to the voltage across the QCL, induced by light reflected from an external object back into the laser cavity. Self-mixing imaging offers high sensitivity, a potentially fast response, and a simple, compact optical design, and we show that it can be used to obtain high-resolution reflection images of exemplar structures.

© 2011 Optical Society of America

Swept-frequency feedback interferometry using terahertz frequency QCLs: a method for imaging and materials analysis

Aleksandar D. Rakić, Thomas Taimre, Karl Bertling, Yah Leng Lim, Paul Dean, Dragan Indjin, Zoran Ikonić, Paul Harrison, Alexander Valavanis, Suraj P. Khanna, Mohammad Lachab, Stephen J. Wilson, Edmund H. Linfield, and A. Giles Davies
Opt. Express 21(19) 22194-22205 (2013)

Detection and upconversion of three-dimensional MMW/THz images to the visible

Avihai Aharon (Akram), Daniel Rozban, Avi Klein, Amir Abramovich, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, and Natan S. Kopeika
Photon. Res. 4(6) 306-312 (2016)

Terahertz sideband-tuned quantum cascade laser radiation

Andriy A. Danylov, Jerry Waldman, Thomas M. Goyette, Andrew J. Gatesman, Robert H. Giles, Jin Li, William D. Goodhue, Kurt J. Linden, and William E. Nixon
Opt. Express 16(8) 5171-5180 (2008)

Rectified diode response of a multimode quantum cascade laser integrated terahertz transceiver

Gregory C. Dyer, Christopher D. Norquist, Michael J. Cich, Albert D. Grine, Charles T. Fuller, John L. Reno, and Michael C. Wanke
Opt. Express 21(4) 3996-4004 (2013)

Frequency modulation spectroscopy with a THz quantum-cascade laser

R. Eichholz, H. Richter, M. Wienold, L. Schrottke, R. Hey, H. T. Grahn, and H.-W. Hübers
Opt. Express 21(26) 32199-32206 (2013)