High-Power THz Quantum-Cascade VECSEL based Local Oscillator

NASA and NASA funded missions/instruments such as Aura/MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder), SOFIA/upGREAT and STO/STO-2 have demonstrated the need for local oscillator (LO) sources between 30 and 300 um (1 and 10 THz). For observations >2 THz, technologically mature microwave sources typically have microwatt power levels which are insufficient to act as LOs for a heterodyne receiver.LongWave Photonics is proposing to develop a high power, phase/frequency-locked, single mode,THz QC-VECSEL quantum cascade laser (QC-VECSEL) system with >5 mW average power at 77Kat 4.74 THz band. The system includes a THz QC-VECSEL gain chip based on metasurface gain structurewith an integrated cavity adjustment structure. The VECSEL LO will be packaged in a high-reliability Stirling cycle cooler with modification to minimize vibration noise. The source will be frequency locked to a stable microwave reference with <100 kHz line width in Phase II.