Photonic crystal mode terahertz lasers

Abstract

We present the design and fabrication of photonic crystal (PhC) based resonators for terahertz quantum-cascade laser with a gain maximum at 2.7 THz. The PhC provides the confinement in lateral direction, for the vertical confinement a double-metal waveguide is used. We show theoretical and experimental analyses of devices based on a central gain region, which is surrounded by a PhC mirror. The devices are lasing in the bandgaps or at high-symmetry points of the PhC, depending on the period. These concepts allow us to tune the emission of the lasers in the range of a few hundred gigahertz. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.