Tunable multi-frequency terahertz quantum cascade laser source

US10230216B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as Represented by the Admin of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Hung D. Nguyen · Cleveland, US
• Rainee N. Simons · North Olmsted, US
• Edwin G. Wintucky · Willoughby, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q2011/0016
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tunable QCL source that utilizes a full bandwidth of a broadband THz QCL, and produces a significantly large number of frequency channels, is provided. The tunable QCL source includes a grating router configured to receive a terahertz frequency from a tunable quantum cascade laser and generate a plurality of terahertz frequencies. The tunable QCL source also includes a waveguide controller configured to receive the plurality of terahertz frequencies from the grating router, and select a desired terahertz frequency from the plurality of terahertz frequencies to be outputted by a waveguide multiplexer.