Phase Locking of a THz QC-VECSEL to a Microwave Reference

Curwen, Christopher A.; Kawamura, Jonathan H.; Hayton, Darren J.; Addamane, Sadhvikas Jayachandra; Reno, John L.; Williams, Benjamin S.; Karasik, Boris S.

doi:10.1109/tthz.2023.3280451

Phase Locking of a THz QC-VECSEL to a Microwave Reference

Journal Article · Mon May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/tthz.2023.3280451· OSTI ID:2311681

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California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies
University of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

We report high-resolution frequency study and phase locking have been performed on a terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (QC-VECSEL) operating around 2.5 THz. A subharmonic diode mixer is used to down convert the THz signal to a 100 MHz intermediate frequency that is phase locked to a stable 100 MHz microwave reference. Between 90% and 95% of the QC-VECSEL signal is locked within 2 Hz of the multiplied RF reference, and amplitude fluctuations on the order of 1%–10% are observed, depending on the bias point of the QC-VECSEL. The bandwidth of the locking loop is ~1 MHz. Many noise peaks in the IF signal are observed, likely corresponding to mechanical resonances in the 10 Hz–10 kHz. These peaks are generally -30 to -60 dB below the main tone and are below the phase noise level of the multiplied RF reference that ultimately limits the phase noise of the locked QC-VECSEL.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 2311681

Report Number(s):: SAND--2023-08829J

Journal Information:: IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 13; ISSN 2156-342X

Publisher:: IEEECopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Frequency and phase-lock control of a 3?THz quantum cascade laser Betz, A. L.; Boreiko, R. T.; Williams, B. S. Optics Letters, Vol. 30, Issue 14 https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.30.001837	journal	January 2005
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Industrial Applications of Terahertz Sensing: State of Play No authors listed Sensors, Vol. 19, Issue 19 https://doi.org/10.3390/s19194203	journal	September 2019

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laser noise
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quantum cascade lasers
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Phase Locking of a THz QC-VECSEL to a Microwave Reference

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