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THz Photonic Integrated Circuit Formed

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 30, 2010 — By integrating a terahertz quantum-cascade laser and diode mixer into a monolithic solid-state transceiver, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories successfully formed a terahertz (THz) photonic integrated circuit that can provide improved control of the underutilized THz frequency.

The researchers rendered unnecessary the precision alignment of optical components formerly needed to couple the laser to the detector by combining a detector and laser on the same chip to make a compact receiver

Terahertz radiation, located in the range between the microwave and far-infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, is of interest because some frequencies can be used to “see through” certain materials. Potentially they could be used in dental or skin cancer imaging to distinguish different tissue types. They also permit improved nondestructive testing of materials during production monitoring. Other frequencies could be used to penetrate clothing, and possibly identify chemical or biological weapons and narcotics.

Since the demonstration of semiconductor THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in 2002, it has been apparent that these devices could offer unprecedented advantages in technologies used for security, communications, radar, chemical spectroscopy, radioastronomy and medical diagnostics.

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Until now, however, sensitive coherent transceiver (transmitter/receiver) systems were assembled from a collection of discrete and often very large components. Similar to moving from discrete transistor to integrated chips in the microwave world and moving from optical breadboards to photonic integrated circuits in the visible/infrared world, this work represents the first steps toward reduction in size and enhanced functionality in the THz frequency spectrum.

The work, currently described online in the June 27 issue of Nature Photonics, represents the first successful monolithic integration of a THz QCL and diode mixer to form a simple, but generically useful, THz photonic integrated circuit — a microelectronic terahertz transceiver.

With investment from Sandia’s Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program, the lab focused on the integration of THz QCLs with sensitive, high-speed THz Schottky diode detectors, resulting in a compact, reliable solid-state platform. The transceiver embeds a small Schottky diode into the ridge waveguide cavity of a QCL, so that local-oscillator power is directly supplied to the cathode of the diode from the QCL internal fields, with no optical coupling path.

The Sandia semiconductor THz development team, headed by Michael Wanke, also included Erik Young, Christopher Nordquist, Michael Cich, Charles Fuller, John Reno, Mark Lee — all of Sandia labs — and Albert Grine of LMATA Government Services LLC, in Albuquerque. Young recently joined Philips Lumileds Lighting Co., in San Jose, Calif.

For more information, visit: www.sandia.gov
 



Published: June 2010
Glossary
astronomy
The scientific observation of celestial radiation that has reached the vicinity of Earth, and the interpretation of these observations to determine the characteristics of the extraterrestrial bodies and phenomena that have emitted the radiation.
breadboard
An experimental model of an electrical circuit or complex assembly; a prototype.
detector
1. A device designed to convert the energy of incident radiation into another form for the determination of the presence of the radiation. The device may function by electrical, photographic or visual means. 2. A device that provides an electric output that is a useful measure of the radiation that is incident on the device.
diode
A two-electrode device with an anode and a cathode that passes current in only one direction. It may be designed as an electron tube or as a semiconductor device.
electromagnetic spectrum
The total range of wavelengths, extending from the shortest to the longest wavelength or conversely, that can be generated physically. This range of electromagnetic wavelengths extends practically from zero to infinity and includes the visible portion of the spectrum known as light.
far-infrared
That part of the infrared spectrum from about 30 to 1000 µm.
microwave
An electromagnetic wave lying within the region of the frequency spectrum that is between about 1000 MHz (1 GHz) and 100,000 MHz (100 GHz). This is equivalent to the wavelength spectrum that is between one millimeter and one meter, and is also referred to as the infrared and short wave spectrum.
optical
Pertaining to optics and the phenomena of light.
quantum cascade laser
A quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a type of semiconductor laser that operates based on the principles of quantum mechanics. It is a versatile and powerful device used for emitting coherent light in the mid-infrared to terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Quantum cascade lasers were first proposed by Federico Capasso, Jerome Faist, Deborah Sivco, Carlo Sirtori, Albert Hutchinson, and Alfred Cho in 1994. Key features and principles of quantum cascade lasers: Quantum cascade...
receiver
A detector and signal demodulator used in optical communications systems to receive a signal and often to translate it into an electronic signal.
terahertz
Terahertz (THz) refers to a unit of frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum, denoting waves with frequencies between 0.1 and 10 terahertz. One terahertz is equivalent to one trillion hertz, or cycles per second. The terahertz frequency range falls between the microwave and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Key points about terahertz include: Frequency range: The terahertz range spans from approximately 0.1 terahertz (100 gigahertz) to 10 terahertz. This corresponds to...
transmitter
In fiber optic communications, a light source whose beam can be modulated and sent along an optical fiber, and the electronics that support it.
wavelength
Electromagnetic energy is transmitted in the form of a sinusoidal wave. The wavelength is the physical distance covered by one cycle of this wave; it is inversely proportional to frequency.
AmericasastronomyBasic Sciencebiological weaponsBiophotonicsbreadboardCaliforniaCharles FullerChristopher NordquistCommunicationsConsumerdefensedetectordiodeelectromagnetic spectrumErik YoungFar-InfraredImagingintegrated circuitsJohn RenoLDRDMark LeemedicalMichael CichMichael WankemicroelectronicmicrowavemonolithicNature PhotonicsNew MexiconondestructiveopticalPhilips LumiledsphotonicQCLquantum cascade laserradioastronomyreceiverResearch & TechnologySandiaSandia National LaboratoriesSchottkysecuritysee throughsemiconductorsSensors & Detectorsskin cancersolid-state transceiverspectroscopyterahertzTHztissuetransmitterwavelengthLasers

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