We coupled linearly polarized and azimuthally polarized Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) to the low-loss optical modes of hollow core waveguides having a sequence of different metallic or dielectric inner coatings. The latter waveguides have been specifically designed to force the propagation of a dominant optical mode once the thickness (d) of the inner dielectric coating is properly chosen. Our results demonstrate that both the TE01 and the TE11 modes can be easily converted to a hybrid one when d > 6 mu m allowing the propagation of THz QCL beams with transmission losses as low as 1.5 dB/m, bending losses < 1.1 dB and reasonably high coupling efficiencies (87%).
Flexible, Low-loss Waveguide Designs for Efficient Coupling to Quantum Cascade Lasers in the Far-infrared
Tredicucci, Alessandro;
2012-01-01
Abstract
We coupled linearly polarized and azimuthally polarized Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) to the low-loss optical modes of hollow core waveguides having a sequence of different metallic or dielectric inner coatings. The latter waveguides have been specifically designed to force the propagation of a dominant optical mode once the thickness (d) of the inner dielectric coating is properly chosen. Our results demonstrate that both the TE01 and the TE11 modes can be easily converted to a hybrid one when d > 6 mu m allowing the propagation of THz QCL beams with transmission losses as low as 1.5 dB/m, bending losses < 1.1 dB and reasonably high coupling efficiencies (87%).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.