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Title: THz time-domain characterization of amplifying quantum-cascade metasurface

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0067690· OSTI ID:1834101

An amplifying quantum-cascade (QC) metasurface, the key component of the QC vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-laser (VECSEL), is studied as a function of injected current density using reflection-mode terahertz time domain spectroscopy. Nearly perfect absorption is measured at zero bias, which is associated with the transition from the weak to strong coupling condition between the metasurface resonance and an intersubband transition within the QC material. An increase in reflectance is observed as the device is biased, both due to reduction in intersubband loss and the presence of intersubband gain. Significant phase modulation associated with the metasurface resonance is observed via electrical control, which may be useful for electrical tuning of QC-VECSEL. These results provide insight into the interaction between the intersubband QC-gain material and the metasurface and modify the design rules for QC-VECSELs for both biased and unbiased regions.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); National Science Foundation (NSF); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003525; 1711892; 1810163; 80NSSC19K0700
OSTI ID:
1834101
Report Number(s):
SAND-2021-14401J; 701718; TRN: US2300519
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 119, Issue 18; ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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