Editorial Material
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Miriam S. Vitiello, Luigi Consolino, Massimo Inguscio, Paolo De Natale
Summary: QCL is the most powerful chip-scale source of optical frequency combs, allowing mode proliferation with large quantum efficiencies. THz QCL FCs have promising applications in various fields due to their high quantum efficiency and ease of integration.
Review
Quantum Science & Technology
Miriam Serena Vitiello, Paolo De Natale
Summary: Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) demonstrate the generation of artificial materials with tailor-made properties through quantum design, featuring intrinsic linewidths near the quantum limit and spontaneous phase-locking. Operating at terahertz frequencies, QCLs show important technological performances and have promising future prospects in the field of quantum technologies.
ADVANCED QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qi Yang, Jicheng Zhang, Xuemin Wang, Zhiqiang Zhan, Tao Jiang, Jia Li, Ruijiao Zou, Keyu Li, Fengwei Chen, Weidong Wu
Summary: This work presents a dual ridge terahertz quantum cascade laser lasing at 3.1 THz and analyzes its performance in detail. The experimental results provide a reference for realizing high-power terahertz quantum cascade lasers and offer guidance for the structural design of multiple ridges or laser arrays.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paolo Micheletti, Urban Senica, Andres Forrer, Sara Cibella, Guido Torrioli, Martin Frankie, Mattias Beck, Giacomo Scalari, J'rome Faist
Summary: Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) offer an intriguing opportunity for generating on-chip optical dissipative Kerr solitons (DKS). Recent observations of DKS in mid-infrared ring QCLs have paved the way for achieving DKS at longer wavelengths. Terahertz ring QCLs with anomalous dispersion were realized using a waveguide planarization technology platform. A concentric coupled waveguide approach was implemented for dispersion compensation, while a passive broadband bullseye antenna improved power extraction and far field. The presence of solitons was confirmed through hysteric behavior, phase difference measurements, and intensity time profile reconstruction, which matched well with numerical simulations based on the Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation (CGLE).
Article
Physics, Applied
Nathalie Lander Gower, Shiran Levy, Silvia Piperno, Sadhvikas J. Addamane, John L. Reno, Asaf Albo
Summary: We conducted an experimental study on a new design for a terahertz quantum cascade laser (THz QCL) that combines two-well injector and direct-phonon scattering schemes. This design improves the performance of the lasers by using a direct phonon scattering scheme for depopulating the lower laser level and reducing the overlap with the doped region. The design also achieves efficient isolation of active laser levels and shows potential for higher operating temperatures than the current records.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kimberly S. Reichel, Eva Arianna Aurelia Pogna, Simone Biasco, Leonardo Viti, Alessandra Di Gaspare, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Miriam S. Vitiello
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of electrically pumped random laser resonators as sensitive photodetectors through the self-mixing effect, and shows the laser sensitivity to self-mixing under different feedback conditions. By utilizing two-dimensional cavities and reflecting emitted light back onto the surface, a near-field optical microscope with 120 nm spatial resolution is achieved, opening up possibilities for speckle-free nano-imaging and quantum sensing applications in the far-infrared region.
Article
Optics
Yuan-Yuan Li, Fang-Yuan Zhao, Yu Ma, Wei-Jiang Li, Jun-Qi Liu, Feng-Qi Liu, Jun-Wei Luo, Jin-Chuan Zhang, Shen-Qiang Zhai, Ning Zhuo, Li-Jun Wang, Shu-Man Liu
Summary: By integrating a suitable lens with a well-designed QCL array, multiple spatially-separated beams with controlled divergence angles and focusing efficiency are achieved. This method demonstrates excellent emission characteristics and multi-wavelength spectra at 77 K temperature.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuyang Wu, Jinchuan Zhang, Yunhao Zhao, Chongyun Liang, Fengqi Liu, Yi Shi, Renchao Che
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of the temperature degradation of population inversion in terahertz quantum cascade lasers. It is found that the limited extraction efficiency of the extraction system is the main cause for the decrease in population inversion at elevated temperatures. Additionally, the temperature-induced electron-phonon scattering and electron-ionized donor separation also contribute to the degradation of population inversion.
Article
Optics
L. M. Kruger, J. Hillbrand, J. Heidrich, M. Beiser, R. Weih, J. Koeth, C. R. Phillips, B. Schwarz, G. Strasser, U. Keller
Summary: Interband cascade infrared photodetectors (ICIPs) combine interband optical transitions with fast intraband transport to achieve high-frequency and broad-wavelength operation at room temperature. Investigation of the bias-dependent electronic impulse response of ICIPs reveals the impact of reverse bias on saturation power and responsivity, showing an increase in these parameters with increasing reverse bias voltage.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luigi Consolino, Malik Nafa, Michele De Regis, Francesco Cappelli, Saverio Bartalini, Akio Ito, Masahiro Hitaka, Tatsuo Dougakiuchi, Tadataka Edamura, Paolo De Natale, Kazuue Fujita
Summary: This article presents the ultra-broadband THz emission obtained by intra-cavity mixing of different wavelengths, as well as the characterization and measurement methods of this emission. The new device can operate at low temperatures without the need for expensive liquid helium cooling, offering high stability and frequency accuracy.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Ali Khalatpour, Man Chun Tam, Sadhvikas J. Addamane, John Reno, Zbignew Wasilewski, Qing Hu
Summary: In this paper, the maximum operating temperature of THz QCLs has been improved to approximately 261K, as a step toward the realization of compact semiconductor THz sources.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentino Pistore, Hanond Nong, Pierre-Baptiste Vigneron, Katia Garrasi, Sarah Houver, Lianhe Li, A. Giles Davies, Edmund H. Linfield, Jerome Tignon, Juliette Mangeney, Raffaele Colombelli, Miriam S. Vitiello, Sukhdeep S. Dhillon
Summary: Currently, mmWave generation using photonic techniques is limited by the use of near-infrared lasers, but utilizing THz quantum cascade lasers opens up possibilities for innovative integration of laser action and mmWave generation in a single device. Researchers have successfully demonstrated intracavity mmWave generation within THz QCLs over a wide range, highlighting the potential for compact, low noise mmWave generation using modelocked THz frequency combs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Yu Wu, Sadhvikas Addamane, John L. Reno, Benjamin S. Williams
Summary: A new VECSEL external cavity design is demonstrated to transition from single/double-mode lasing to multi-mode lasing, with up to nine modes lasing simultaneously, paving the way for eventual frequency comb operation.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Benjamin Roben, Xiang Lu, Klaus Biermann, Lutz Schrottke, Holger T. Grahn
Summary: Terahertz quantum-cascade lasers are based on complex semiconductor heterostructures, with optical gain generated by intersubband transitions. The effective group refractive index ng,eff can be determined by the spacing of laser modes in the emission spectra.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder, Paul Dean, Edmund H. Linfield, A. Giles Davies
Summary: This study introduces a THz QCL heterostructure designed to emit two resonant photons from each electronic relaxation between two same-parity states, predicting a significant enhancement of light intensity compared to conventional THz QCL structures through simulations.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Franco Prati, Massimo Brambilla, Marco Piccardo, Lorenzo Luigi Columbo, Carlo Silvestri, Mariangela Gioannini, Alessandra Gatti, Luigi A. Lugiato, Federico Capasso
Summary: Nonlinear interactions in physical systems can lead to symmetry breaking phenomena such as modulation instabilities, which may result in the formation of optical solitons. The generalized Lugiato-Lefever equation predicts the existence of optical solitons in ring quantum cascade lasers with an external driving field, enabling the bistability mechanism. The study also shows the possibility of phase solitons and cavity solitons formation in the driven emitter, making them promising for applications such as frequency combs and encoding information.
Article
Physics, Applied
A. Ciattoni, C. Conti, A. Marini
Summary: Research has shown that the direction of radiation from nano photon sources can be controlled by interacting with high-energy electrons in carbon nanotubes, indicating that the radiation direction of nano photon sources can be tuned. This method's flexibility allows for the utilization of graphene plasmon physics to design nano sources with ultra-fast reconfigurability.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
A. Ciattoni
Summary: The article explores the mirror optical activity of chiral molecules and the detection method of near-field dissymmetry, revealing the mechanism of interaction between the electromagnetic field and chiral matter as well as the potential chiral sensing technology.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2021)
Article
Optics
Eva A. A. Pogna, Carlo Silvestri, Lorenzo L. Columbo, Massimo Brambilla, Gaetano Scamarcio, Miriam S. Vitiello
Summary: The authors use a semiconductor heterostructure laser as a terahertz source and phase-sensitive detector for high-resolution near-field imaging. They analyze the optimal operational conditions to optimize nano-imaging contrast and phase sensitivity at the nanoscale.
Article
Optics
Hua Li, Wenjian Wan, Ziping Li, J. C. Cao, Sylvie Lepillet, Jean-Francois Lampin, Kevin Froberger, Lorenzo Columbo, Massimo Brambilla, Stefano Barbieri
Summary: This study investigates the dynamics of multimode THz QCLs using a self-detection technique combined with a real-time oscilloscope. A self-starting periodic modulation of the laser current is observed, and two distinct regimes of oscillation with different coherence times are identified depending on the drive current. The measurements are interpreted using effective semiconductor Maxwell-Bloch equations, revealing the phase relationship between carrier density and optical pulses.
Article
Optics
Marco Piccardo, Vincent Ginis, Andrew Forbes, Simon Mahler, Asher A. Friesem, Nir Davidson, Haoran Ren, Ahmed H. Dorrah, Federico Capasso, Firehun T. Dullo, Balpreet S. Ahluwalia, Antonio Ambrosio, Sylvain Gigan, Nicolas Treps, Markus Hiekkamaki, Robert Fickler, Michael Kues, David Moss, Roberto Morandotti, Johann Riemensberger, Tobias J. Kippenberg, Jerome Faist, Giacomo Scalari, Nathalie Picque, Theodor W. Haensch, Giulio Cerullo, Cristian Manzoni, Luigi A. Lugiato, Massimo Brambilla, Lorenzo Columbo, Alessandra Gatti, Franco Prati, Abbas Shiri, Ayman F. Abouraddy, Andrea Alu, Emanuele Galiffi, J. B. Pendry, Paloma A. Huidobro
Summary: Our ability to manipulate light patterns by combining different electromagnetic modes has significantly improved in recent years. This concept of structured light is being applied across various fields of optics, enabling the generation of classical and quantum states of light, utilization of linear and nonlinear light-matter interactions, and advancements in microscopy, spectroscopy, holography, communication, and synchronization. This Roadmap provides an overview of these areas, their current research, and future developments, emphasizing the power of multimodal light manipulation to inspire new approaches in this vibrant research community.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva Arianna Aurelia Pogna, Leonardo Viti, Antonio Politano, Massimo Brambilla, Gaetano Scamarcio, Miriam Serena Vitiello
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva Arianna Aurelia Pogna, Leonardo Viti, Antonio Politano, Massimo Brambilla, Gaetano Scamarcio, Miriam Serena Vitiello
Summary: Through near-field microscopy, researchers have explored the rich physics of layered topological insulators Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te2.2Se0.8, revealing the collective modes dominating the optical response in thin flakes, as well as the propagation of phonon-polariton modes influenced by the topological surface states.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Cristina Rimoldi, Lorenzo Luigi Columbo, Jock Bovington, Sebastian Romero-Garcia, Mariangela Gioannini
Summary: This study addresses the stability of a tunable hybrid laser consisting of a III-V Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (RSOA) and a Silicon Photonic (SiPh) dispersive mirror. The researchers developed a model based on time-delayed algebraic differential equations to analyze the laser's stability and the impact of the mirror's bandwidth on damping of relaxation oscillations and photon-photon resonance. The study also examined the laser's tolerance to external optical feedback and identified a mirror design with ultra-high stability.
Article
Physics, Applied
A. Ciattoni
Summary: The interaction between radiation and chiral molecular films results in asymmetric chiro-optical effects that affect the spatial symmetry of the radiation profile, primarily in the near field. Scattering of mirror-symmetric pair of plane waves by a nanowire on a chiral nanofilm is non-mirror-symmetric, with a significant angular dissymmetry factor. Evanescent coupling causes the nanowire to efficiently experience molecular chirality, leading to spatially asymmetric near field and asymmetric far-field interference.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Cristina Rimoldi, Lorenzo L. Columbo, Jock Bovington, Sebastian Romero-Garcia, Mariangela Gioannini
Summary: This article reports on the operation of external cavity III-V/SiN hybrid lasers in regimes of ultra-damped relaxation oscillations or CW unstable dynamical regimes (self-pulsing or approaching turbulence), which result from mirror dispersion, non-zero linewidth enhancement factor, and four-wave mixing in the gain medium. The impact of dispersive mirror bandwidth and different mirror effective lengths on the laser tolerance to external optical feedback is also discussed.
IEEE PHOTONICS JOURNAL
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Analytical
Maurizio Dabbicco, Lorenzo Luigi Columbo, Julien Perchoux
Article
Physics, Applied
A. Ciattoni
Summary: Photons show mirror asymmetry in macroscopic chiral media, while free relativistic electrons can also sense chirality of geometrically symmetric macroscopic samples due to the breaking of mirror symmetry by matter chirality. This is possible because the spatial asymmetry of the electromagnetic interaction with the sample triggers electron sensitivity through wave-function transverse smearing. Additionally, mirror asymmetry is also observed in the distribution of the electron lateral momentum, indicating a lateral mechanical interaction produced by matter chirality.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Carlo Silvestri, Lorenzo Luigi Columbo, Massimo Brambilla
Summary: We conducted a numerical and analytical study on the self-detection scattering type near field optical microscopy (SD s-SNOM), a new technique that combines self-mixing interferometry and scattering near-field microscopy. By using a modified version of the Lang-Kobayashi model, we focused on the weak feedback regime and derived an approximated method for retrieving the scattering coefficient of the SD s-SNOM configuration applied to a CsBr sample. These results were then used to estimate the dielectric permittivity and phonon resonances of the sample, demonstrating good accuracy.
IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2023)