Continuous wave operation of terahertz metasurface quantum-cascade VECSEL with a long intra-cryostat cavity

We report continuous wave (cw) operation of a terahertz quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser with an external cavity length of approximately 30 mm, benefited by an intra-cryostat focusing cavity. Compared to previous plano-plano cavities, an off-axis paraboloid mirror is introduced into the external cavity as a focusing element to reduce the diffraction loss and to enable cw lasing using small-area metasurfaces and long cavity lengths. The device shows lasing operation in the cw mode up to 111 K, and cw output power up to 11.5 mW at 77 K (0.5% wall-plug efficiency). A circular, directive beam pattern is collected, and free-running linewidths on the order of tens of kHz are measured over tens of seconds. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

In this study, we demonstrated the continuous wave operation of a terahertz quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser with the use of an external cavity and an off-axis paraboloid mirror. The device showed efficient lasing in the continuous mode with high output power and narrow linewidths.