Abstract
We investigate an optically pumped electrically driven laser scheme as an approach for terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers.The scheme keeps the advantages of optical conversion, and increases the efficiency by recycling the pump photons. Using a microscopic theory based on the Maxwell-semiconductor Bloch equations, we demonstrate that the approach offers a path to room-temperature THz generation. Furthermore, we show how successful recovery of the pump intensity can yield optical conversion efficiencies exceeding the Manley-Rowe limit.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1084-1088 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | IEEE Journal on Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Gain without inversion
- Intersubband semiconductor laser
- Manley-Rowe quantum limit
- Optical conversion
- Quantum cascade laser (QCL)
- Terahertz (THz) generation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering