Ultrabroadband Gain-Switched and Superluminescent Terahertz Semiconductor Lasers
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866913062739509248 |
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| author | Senica, Urban Schreiber, Michael A. Beck, Mattias Jirauschek, Christian Faist, Jérôme Scalari, Giacomo |
| author_facet | Senica, Urban Schreiber, Michael A. Beck, Mattias Jirauschek, Christian Faist, Jérôme Scalari, Giacomo |
| contents | Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) are chip-scale semiconductor lasers operating in the frequency range between 1-6 THz, useful as compact sources for spectroscopy, communications, and non-destructive imaging and testing. Here, we apply low-frequency microwave modulation on a planarized THz QCL to generate ultrabroadband emission in the THz range. For very low modulation frequencies below 1 GHz, a gain-switched octave-spanning spectrum with a smooth spectral envelope is generated between 1.9 - 4.1 THz. Increasing the modulation frequency broadens the lasing modes until a low-coherence, continuous emission spectrum is achieved in the superluminescent regime, covering the spectral region between around 3 - 4 THz, without any discrete lasing modes or spectral gaps. We complement the experimental results with extensive analytical models and numerical simulations that capture the intracavity laser dynamics and fully explain the different operation regimes. These devices could prove useful for absorption spectroscopy without any spectral gaps, and as ultrabroadband sources of THz radiation. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_23499 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Ultrabroadband Gain-Switched and Superluminescent Terahertz Semiconductor Lasers Senica, Urban Schreiber, Michael A. Beck, Mattias Jirauschek, Christian Faist, Jérôme Scalari, Giacomo Optics Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) are chip-scale semiconductor lasers operating in the frequency range between 1-6 THz, useful as compact sources for spectroscopy, communications, and non-destructive imaging and testing. Here, we apply low-frequency microwave modulation on a planarized THz QCL to generate ultrabroadband emission in the THz range. For very low modulation frequencies below 1 GHz, a gain-switched octave-spanning spectrum with a smooth spectral envelope is generated between 1.9 - 4.1 THz. Increasing the modulation frequency broadens the lasing modes until a low-coherence, continuous emission spectrum is achieved in the superluminescent regime, covering the spectral region between around 3 - 4 THz, without any discrete lasing modes or spectral gaps. We complement the experimental results with extensive analytical models and numerical simulations that capture the intracavity laser dynamics and fully explain the different operation regimes. These devices could prove useful for absorption spectroscopy without any spectral gaps, and as ultrabroadband sources of THz radiation. |
| title | Ultrabroadband Gain-Switched and Superluminescent Terahertz Semiconductor Lasers |
| topic | Optics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.23499 |