Abstract
We report on the development of a compact, easy-to-use terahertz radiation source, which combines a quantum-cascade laser (QCL) operating at 3.1 THz with a compact, low-input-power Stirling cooler. The QCL, which is based on a two-miniband design, has been developed for high output and low electrical pump power. The amount of generated heat complies with the nominal cooling capacity of the Stirling cooler of 7 W at 65 K with 240 W of electrical input power. Special care has been taken to achieve a good thermal coupling between the QCL and the cold finger of the cooler. The whole system weighs less than 15 kg including the cooler and power supplies. The maximum output power is 8 mW at 3.1 THz. With an appropriate optical beam shaping, the emission profile of the laser is fundamental Gaussian. The applicability of the system is demonstrated by imaging and molecular-spectroscopy experiments.
Highlights
Terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) are very promising radiation sources for many scientific and commercial applications
We report on the development of a compact, easy-to-use terahertz radiation source, which combines a quantum-cascade laser (QCL) operating at 3.1 THz with a compact, low-input-power Stirling cooler
We report on the development of a compact, easy-to-use, cw THz source, which is based on a QCL operating at 3.1 THz and a compact, low-input-power Stirling cooler with a nominal cooling capacity of 7 W at 65 K
Summary
Terahertz (THz) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) are very promising radiation sources for many scientific and commercial applications. The applicability of QCLs for imaging either in closeby configuration [3,4,5] or at stand-off distances [6] as well as the feasibility of high-resolution molecular spectroscopy [7] has been principally demonstrated For these applications, the QCLs are either operated in a continuous-flow liquid-helium cryostat or in a liquid-heliumfree mechanical cryocooler [8], which has, several disadvantages. Cryocoolers are bulky and require several kW electrical power in order to provide sufficient cooling capacity for the QCL, which typically uses an electrical pump power of several Watts for a THz emission power of several mW While these cooling approaches might be acceptable for scientific experiments in the laboratory, they are impractical for most commercial applications. The performance of the system and initial results of imaging and spectroscopy experiments are presented
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
