Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers

Terahertz frequencies are promising for spectroscopy in chemistry and biology, astrophysics, plasma diagnostics, remote atmospheric sensing and imaging, noninvasive inspection of semiconductor wafers, and free-space communications. We propose to develophigh temperature and high power THz quantum cascade lasers operating at various frequencies, with the developed design, growth, processing and packaging technology to be transferred to Lytek for commercialization. The MIT team will be in charge of thedesign of THz laser structures and will carry out detailed theoretical modeling of the active region and the optical waveguide. The structures will be grown either by Lytek or Sandia National Lab and will be processed and tested at MIT. Lytek will explorethe use of newly developed MBE growth technology to improve the device performance. Potential applications include spectroscopy and sensing applications such as detection of trace gas molecules contained in the effluent of high explosives, space-basedand short-range terrestrial or near earth communications, atmospheric sensing, collision avoidance for aircraft and ground vehicles, and near object observation.