Multi-mode THz quantum-cascade VECSELs based on disordered metasurfaces

Morag, Eilam; Li, Andrey; Kim, Anthony D.; Addamane, Sadhvikas Jayachandra; Williams, Benjamin S.

doi:10.1364/OE.555335

Multi-mode THz quantum-cascade VECSELs based on disordered metasurfaces

Journal Article · Tue Apr 22 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Optics Express

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.555335· OSTI ID:2585647

^[1]; Li, Andrey ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[2]; Williams, Benjamin S. ^[1]

Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-lasers (VECSELs) based on disordered amplifying metasurfaces are demonstrated and explored as potential broadband, multi-mode THz sources. The disorder is introduced along one spatial axis of the metasurface by pseudo-randomly varying the width of its resonant ridge antennas. Compared to a quantum-cascade (QC) VECSEL based on a uniform metasurface, the disordered structure supports much more localized transverse modes with reduced spatial overlap within the QC gain material. This localization is hypothesized to facilitate the spatial hole burning of the gain material and, therefore, enable multi-mode lasing, particularly for short cavities on the order of a few wavelengths. Several devices have been fabricated and shown to differ from uniform QC-VECSELs in a few key ways, possessing highly nonlinear light-current characteristics, angle-dependent emission spectra and broadband multi-mode lasing. At most, 17 modes are simultaneously observed, spanning 680 GHz. The number of VECSEL modes is shown to have an inverse relationship with the cavity length, which is attributed to increased diffractive losses in the open plano-plano cavity. As the cavity length is tuned, the device emits over a quasi-continuous band from 3.15 to 3.97 THz or up to 4.24 THz with a longitudinal mode hop.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 2585647

Report Number(s):: SAND--2025-06125J; 1766135

Journal Information:: Optics Express, Journal Name: Optics Express Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 33; ISSN 1094-4087

Publisher:: Optica Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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