Article abstract
Nature Photonics 1, 411 - 415 (2007)
Published online: 2 July 2007 | doi:10.1038/nphoton.2007.94
Subject Categories: Terahertz optics | Fibre optics and optical communications
Terahertz transfer onto a telecom optical carrier
Sukhdeep S. Dhillon1,5, Carlo Sirtori1,2, Jesse Alton3, Stefano Barbieri1, Alfredo de Rossi2, Harvey E. Beere4 & David A. Ritchie4
Abstract
In a GaAs crystal, owing to the anomalous dispersion introduced by optical phonon absorption, a phase-matched interaction is possible between a near-infrared beam and a terahertz (THz) wave. We exploit this nonlinear optical process to allow the merging of THz-quantum-cascade-laser and telecom technologies by injecting a telecom beam into a suitably designed THz quantum-cascade laser. Within the optical cavity, the phase and amplitude of the THz wave are recorded onto the near-infrared beam, which can be transported through an optical fibre. We show that the process is phase-matched and can be tuned over the entire telecom range by waveguide engineering. This nonlinear up-conversion technique opens up new possibilities in the optical treatment of THz, by taking advantage of the highly developed telecom technology.
- Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, Université Paris 7, 10 rue A. Domont et L. Duquet, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
- Thales Research and Technology, Route Départementale 128, 91767 Palaiseau Cedex, France
- TeraView Ltd, St. John's Innovation Park, Cambridge, CB4 0WS, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Present address: Laboratoire Pierre Aigrain, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24, rue Lhomond, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
Correspondence to: Carlo Sirtori1,2 e-mail: carlo.sirtori@univ-paris-diderot.fr
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