Optical Pump Beam Research Articles

Impact of the Metal Adhesion Layer on the Radiation Power of Plasmonic Photoconductive Terahertz Sources

The use of plasmonic contact electrodes in a photoconductive terahertz source offers high optical-to-terahertz conversion efficiencies. The high efficiency is because plasmonic contact electrodes concentrate a large portion of the incident optical pump beam in close proximity to the contact electrodes. By reducing the average transport path length of the photo-generated carriers from the contact electrodes, a larger number of the photocarriers drift to the terahertz radiating elements of the photoconductive source within a sub-picosecond time scale. Therefore, higher terahertz radiation power levels are achieved compared to a similar photoconductive source without plasmonic contact electrodes. Au is a preferred metal for plasmonic contact electrodes because of the strong plasmonic enhancement factors it offers at near-infrared optical wavelengths. However, it requires an adhesion layer to stick well to most III–V semiconductor substrates used in photoconductive terahertz sources. In this paper, we analyze the impact of the Au adhesion layer on the performance of plasmonic photoconductive sources fabricated on a GaAs substrate. Our analysis suggests that Cr is the most promising adhesion layer for plasmonic contact electrodes. We show that the use of a Cr adhesion layer instead of Ti, which is used in previously demonstrated plasmonic photoconductive sources, offers up to an 80% enhancement in the generated terahertz powers. We report record-high terahertz power emissions of up to 6.7 mW from plasmonic photoconductive sources with Cr/Au contacts.

A High-Power Broadband Terahertz Source Enabled by Three-Dimensional Light Confinement in a Plasmonic Nanocavity

The scope and potential uses of time-domain terahertz imaging and spectroscopy are mainly limited by the low optical-to-terahertz conversion efficiency of photoconductive terahertz sources. State-of-the-art photoconductive sources utilize short-carrier-lifetime semiconductors to recombine carriers that cannot contribute to efficient terahertz generation and cause additional thermal dissipation. Here, we present a novel photoconductive terahertz source that offers a significantly higher efficiency compared with terahertz sources fabricated on short-carrier-lifetime substrates. The key innovative feature of this source is the tight three-dimensional confinement of the optical pump beam around the terahertz nanoantennas that are used as radiating elements. This is achieved by means of a nanocavity formed by plasmonic structures and a distributed Bragg reflector. Consequently, almost all of the photo-generated carriers can be routed to the terahertz nanoantennas within a sub-picosecond time-scale. This results in a very strong, ultrafast current that drives the nanoantennas to produce broadband terahertz radiation. We experimentally demonstrate that this terahertz source can generate 4 mW pulsed terahertz radiation under an optical pump power of 720 mW over the 0.1–4 THz frequency range. This is the highest reported power level for terahertz radiation from a photoconductive terahertz source, representing more than an order of magnitude of enhancement in the optical-to-terahertz conversion efficiency compared with state-of-the-art photoconductive terahertz sources fabricated on short-carrier-lifetime substrates.

Demonstration of electron beam laser excitation in the UV range using a GaN/AlGaN multiquantum well active layer

This study investigated electron beam laser excitation in the UV region using a GaN/AlGaN multiquantum well (MQW) active layer. Laser emission was observed when the GaN/AlGaN MQW was excited by an electron beam, with a wavelength of approximately 353 nm and a threshold power density of 230 kW/cm2. A comparison of optical pumping and electron beam pumping demonstrated that the rate of generation of electron-hole pairs when using electron beam excitation was approximately one quarter that of light excitation.

Bright narrowband biphoton generation from a hot rubidium atomic vapor cell

We demonstrate the generation of high-quality narrowband biphotons from a Doppler-broadened hot rubidium atomic vapor cell. Choosing a double-Λ atomic energy level scheme for optimizing both spontaneous four-wave mixing nonlinear parametric interaction and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), we achieve a biphoton spectral brightness as high as 14 000 s−1 MHz−1. Meanwhile, we apply a spatially tailored optical pumping beam for reduction of the Raman noise and obtain a violation of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality by a factor of 1023.

An Ultrafast Switchable Terahertz Polarization Modulator Based on III-V Semiconductor Nanowires.

Progress in the terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum is undergoing major advances, with advanced THz sources and detectors being developed at a rapid pace. Yet, ultrafast THz communication is still to be realized, owing to the lack of practical and effective THz modulators. Here, we present a novel ultrafast active THz polarization modulator based on GaAs semiconductor nanowires arranged in a wire-grid configuration. We utilize an optical pump-terahertz probe spectroscopy system and vary the polarization of the optical pump beam to demonstrate ultrafast THz modulation with a switching time of less than 5 ps and a modulation depth of -8 dB. We achieve an extinction of over 13% and a dynamic range of -9 dB, comparable to microsecond-switchable graphene- and metamaterial-based THz modulators, and surpassing the performance of optically switchable carbon nanotube THz polarizers. We show a broad bandwidth for THz modulation between 0.1 and 4 THz. Thus, this work presents the first THz modulator which combines not only a large modulation depth but also a broad bandwidth and picosecond time resolution for THz intensity and phase modulation, making it an ideal candidate for ultrafast THz communication.

Optical excitation of spin waves in epitaxial iron garnet films: MSSW vs BVMSW.

In most of the previous studies of the spin wave optical generation in magnetic dielectrics, the backward volume spin waves were excited. Here we modified the parameters of the circularly polarized optical pump beams emitted by femtosecond laser to reveal surface spin waves in bismuth iron garnet thin film. Beams that are larger than 10 μm in diameter generate both surface and volume spin waves with only one spectral peak near the ferromagnetic resonance. On the contrary, narrower beams excite predominantly surface spin waves of higher frequency, providing an additional peak in the spin wave spectrum. Thus different interference patterns of the magnetization dynamics are achievable. This may significantly broaden the capabilities of spin wave based devices.

Velocity-selective electromagnetically-induced-transparency measurements of potassium Rydberg states

We demonstrate a velocity selection scheme that mitigates suppression of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) by Doppler shifts for low--high EIT probe--coupling wavelength ordering. An optical pumping beam counter-propagating with the EIT probe beam transfers atoms between hyperfine states in a velocity selective fashion. Measurement of the transmitted probe beam synchronous with chopping of the optical pumping beam enables a Doppler-free EIT signal to be detected. Transition frequencies between 5P$_{1/2}$ and $n$S$_{1/2}$ states for $n=$26, 27, and 28 in $^{39}$K are obtained via EIT spectroscopy in a heated vapor cell with a probe beam stabilized to the 4S$_{1/2}\rightarrow$5P$_{1/2}$ transition. Using previous high-resolution measurements of the 4S$_{1/2}\rightarrow$nS$_{1/2}$ transitions, we make a determination of the absolute frequency of the 4S$_{1/2}\rightarrow$5P$_{1/2}$ transition. Our measurement is shifted by 560 MHz from the currently accepted value with a two-fold improvement in uncertainty. These measurements will enable novel experiments with Rydberg-dressed ultracold Fermi gases composed of $^{40}$K atoms.

Spectral characteristics of terahertz radiation from plasmonic photomixers.

We present a comprehensive analysis of spectral characteristics of terahertz radiation from plasmonic photomixers. We fabricate plasmonic photomixer prototypes with plasmonic contact electrode gratings on a low temperature grown GaAs substrate and characterize the spectral properties of the generated terahertz radiation by use of a heterodyne detection scheme. Our analysis shows that linewidth, stability, and frequency tuning range of the generated terahertz radiation are directly determined by linewidth, stability, and wavelength tuning range of optical pump beam and not affected by device geometry, substrate properties, optical pump power level and other operational settings. Our study indicates the crucial role of optical sources in realizing high performance terahertz spectroscopy and wireless communication systems based on plasmonic photomixers.

Concept of annular vector beam generation at terahertz wavelengths via a nonlinear parametric process.

In this paper, we describe our theoretical investigation and calculations for a terahertz (THz)-wave profile generated by difference frequency mixing (DFM) of focused, cylindrically symmetric, and polarized optical vector beams. Using vector diffraction theory, the second-order nonlinear polarization was estimated from the electric field components of the optical pump beams penetrating uniaxial, birefringent nonlinear optics (NLO) crystals, GaSe and CdSe. The approximate beam patterns of the THz waves were simulated using DFM formulation. The intensity patterns of the THz waves for GaSe and CdSe showed sixfold symmetry and cylindrical symmetry, respectively, based on the nonlinear susceptibility tensor of the crystals. As the phase-matching angle θ(PM) was constant with respect to the c axis of the NLO crystals, an annular vector beam with a narrow width was expected.

Theory of terahertz generation by optical rectification using tilted-pulse-fronts.

A model for terahertz (THz) generation by optical rectification using tilted-pulse-fronts is developed. It simultaneously accounts for in two spatial dimensions (2-D) (i) the spatio-temporal variations of the optical pump pulse imparted by the tilted-pulse-front setup, (ii) the nonlinear coupled interaction of THz and optical radiation, (iii) self-phase modulation and (iv) stimulated Raman scattering. The model is validated by quantitative agreement with experiments and analytic calculations. We show that the optical pump beam is significantly broadened in the transverse-momentum (kx) domain as a consequence of its spectral broadening due to THz generation. In the presence of this large frequency and transverse-momentum (or angular) spread, group velocity dispersion causes a spatio-temporal break-up of the optical pump pulse which inhibits further THz generation. The implications of these effects on energy scaling and optimization of optical-to-THz conversion efficiency are discussed. This suggests the use of optical pump pulses with elliptical beam profiles for large optical pump energies. Furthermore, it is seen that optimization of the setup is highly dependent on optical pump conditions. Trade-offs in optimizing the optical-to-THz conversion efficiency on the spatial and spectral properties of THz radiation are discussed to guide the development of such sources.

A dynamic and ultrafast group delay tuning mechanism in two microcavities side-coupled with a waveguide system

We theoretically propose a dynamic and ultrafast group delay tuning mechanism in two microcavities side-coupled to a waveguide system through external optical pump beams. The optical Kerr effect modulation method is applied to improve tuning rate with response time of subpicoseconds or even femtoseconds. The group delay of an all-optical analog to electromagnetically induced transparency effect can be controlled by tuning either the frequency of photonic crystal microcavities or the propagation phase of line waveguide. Group delay is controlled between 5.88 and 70.98 ps by dynamically tuning resonant frequencies of the microcavities. Alternatively, the group delay is controlled between 1.86 and 12.08 ps by dynamically tuning the propagation phase of line waveguide. All observed schemes are analyzed rigorously through finite-difference time-domain simulations and coupled-mode formalism. Results show a new direction toward microstructure integration optical pulse trapping and all-optical dynamical storage of light devices in optical communication and quantum information processing.

Comparison of gain and phase recovery dynamics among optical pumping schemes in quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

We numerically compare the gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) caused by four optical pumping schemes: the single-color optical pumping tune to the quantum-well (QW) carrier reservoir; the QD excited state (ES) ensembles; and the QD ground state (GS) ensembles together with multicolor optical pumping tuned to the GS and ES ensembles of QDs. The temporal responses of the gain and phase recoveries caused by the four optical pumping schemes are calculated and compared by solving 1088 coupled rate equations at the same pumping conditions. Among the four optical pumping schemes, the single-color optical pumping to the ES ensemble shows the fastest response of the gain and phase recovery. This results from the large carrier occupation ratio at the GS and ES ensembles and the high modal gain at the pumping wavelength, which facilitates the reduction of the carrier recovery time within the GS and ES ensembles due to the increased stimulated recombination rate caused by the optical pumping beam.

Generation of high power pulsed terahertz radiation using a plasmonic photoconductive emitter array with logarithmic spiral antennas

An array of 3 × 3 plasmonic photoconductive terahertz emitters with logarithmic spiral antennas is fabricated on a low temperature (LT) grown GaAs substrate and characterized in response to a 200 fs optical pump from a Ti:sapphire mode-locked laser at 800 nm wavelength. A microlens array is used to split and focus the optical pump beam onto the active area of each plasmonic photoconductive emitter element. Pulsed terahertz radiation with record high power levels up to 1.9 mW in the 0.1–2 THz frequency range is measured at an optical pump power of 320 mW. The record high power pulsed terahertz radiation is enabled by the use of plasmonic contact electrodes, enhancing the photoconductor quantum efficiencies, and by increasing the overall device active area, mitigating the carrier screening effect and thermal breakdown at high optical pump power levels.

Phase shift multiplication effect of all-optical analog to electromagnetically induced transparency in two micro-cavities side coupled to a waveguide system

We propose phase shift multiplication effect of all-optical analog to electromagnetically induced transparency in two photonic crystal micro-cavities side coupled to a waveguide system through external optical pump beams. With dynamically tuning the propagation phase of the line waveguide, the phase shift of the transmission spectrum in two micro-cavities side coupled to a waveguide system is doubled along with the phase shift of the line waveguide. π-phase shift and 2π-phase shift of the transmission spectrum are obtained when the propagation phase of the line waveguide is tuned to 0.5π-phase shift and π-phase shift, respectively. All observed schemes are analyzed rigorously through finite-difference time-domain simulations and the coupled-mode formalism. These results show a new direction to the miniaturization and the low power consumption of microstructure integration photonic devices in optical communication and quantum information processing.

Photon-scattering-rate measurement of atoms in a magneto-optical trap

We present a technique for empirically determining the photon scattering rate of atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). An accurate measurement of the scattering rate provides a way to accurately determine the number of atoms in the MOT, the excited-state fraction, and the in situ light intensity experienced by the atoms in the trap. We validate this technique for determining the scattering rate by comparing the atom number determined by the fluorescence emitted by atoms in a MOT with an independent and unrelated measure of the number determined by an absorption measurement of an optical pumping beam. We also observe minor deviations from the two-level model for the single-photon scattering rate and extend our analysis to a four-level model. The main advantage of the method described here is that it provides a simple way of determining the photon scattering rate of the MOT empirically and, thus, of evaluating the atom number from fluorescence measurements more accurately.

Influence of optical pumping wavelength on the ultrafast gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

We numerically investigate the influence of the optical pumping wavelength on the ultrafast gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The temporal variations of the gain and phase recovery response at the ground state (GS) of QDs are calculated at various signal wavelengths when the optical pumping wavelengths at the excited state (ES) of QDs are varied. The phase recovery response is fastest when the wavelength of the signal and pumping beams corresponds to the respective emission wavelength of the GS and the ES in the same size of QDs. The absorption efficiency of the optical pumping beam at the ES is determined by the Lorentzian line shape function of the homogeneous broadening.

Design of ring resonator based all optical switch for logic and arithmetic operations – A theoretical study

In this paper, a general analysis for non-linear micro-ring resonator as all optical switch is discussed in a vertically coupled GaAs–AlGaAs micro-ring resonator by carrier injection. The ring resonator is optically pumped, which results in temporal shift of resonant wavelength by refractive index change due to carrier injection. A green laser as optical pump beam is used to shift resonant wavelength 1.5nm of the ring resonator. Simulation, analysis and overall transfer function of single ring as well as cascaded micro-ring resonator (MRR) is studied. A single circuit, consisting of three MRRs, capable to perform all the two input sixteen logic operations is studied and reported. The same circuit can also act as half adder/subtractor and single bit data comparator.

Spatio-spectral characteristics of ultra-broadband THz emission from two-colour photoexcited gas plasmas and their impact for nonlinear spectroscopy

We present a characterization of the combined spatial and spectral properties of the terahertz (THz) and mid-infrared emission from gas plasmas generated and driven by two-colour femtosecond optical pulses. For its use in nonlinear spectroscopy, the impact of the relatively complex spatial profile for both broadband (∼ 10 THz) and ultra-broadband (> 100 THz) emission needs to be considered, in particular for experiments based on z-scan techniques. Here we apply spatially resolved measurements based on both field autocorrelation and sum-frequency (up-conversion) detection. Based on these results, we present simulations of the ultra-broadband profile during its passage through a focal region. In addition to the inherent features of the emission profile due to the generation mechanism in the plasma filament, we also analyse the role of the semconductor (silicon) wafer typically placed after the plasma to discard the optical pump beams, whose photoexcitation also can play a role in the resultant THz profile.

Apparatus to measure adsorption of condensable solvents on technical surfaces by photothermal deflection

This article describes an instrument for the measurement of the mirage effect as a tool to determine the molar adsorption per unit surface area Y(1) of condensable solvents in the presence of a non-condensable carrier gas. The present apparatus is a much improved version of previous prototypes developed in our laboratory and elsewhere with a higher surface bake-out temperature (150 °C rather than 40 °C), lower residual vacuum (3 Pa versus 100 Pa), greater sample surface (40 mm diameter instead of 10 mm), more powerful optical pump beam (150 W cf. 50 W), and larger saturated vapour preparation volume (4 L instead of 1 L). The new set-up also includes the in situ monitoring of the surface via a reflected HeNe laser beam for the real-time detection of the onset of condensation. Here, we give a detailed description of the various components, outline the experimental procedure, show typical results, and suggest some straightforward improvements.

Terahertz waveguide emitters in photonic crystal fiber form

The phase-matching condition for broadband terahertz (THz) wave generation based on optical rectification requires that the group velocity of the optical pump beam be equal to the phase velocity of the THz wave. The design of GaP THz waveguide emitters in the form of photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) for a pump source of wavelength 1040 nm is reported. By analogy with a circular waveguide emitter, we show how the phase-matched THz wave frequency can be tuned widely by the air hole pitch and finely tuned by the air hole size. In addition, a single THz wave mode can be guided in the endlessly single-mode regime of the fiber waveguide. The layers of air holes in the PCF design not only allow tunability of the generated THz radiation but also make small emitters easy to handle.