ESPCI web site
Jeudi 14 Fevrier 2013, 14h
Amphi Howleck, Esc C, 1ème etage
THz Semiconductor Emitters
Carlo Sirtori
Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques
Université Paris Diderot et CNRS, UMR7162, Paris, France
et Institut Universitaire de France
Emission and detection of photons in the THz frequency region (2-5Thz) is still a major challenge for solid state devices. A solution to this problem is offered by Quantum cascade lasers, a semiconductor device that emits mW of power in the 2 – 5 THz range at cryogenic temperature. These lasers are an interesting hybrid between microwave and diode laser technologies and mix concepts and ideas from both of them. Yet, the lack of room temperature operation limits the development of applications and delays industrial production.
Other ideas are emerging about THz emitters, in which the optical transition is strongly coupled with an optical mode of a cavity. In this configuration light-matter coupling (or ultra-strong coupling) occurs and introduces new characteristic times that can be exploited for the generation of THz photons.
During my presentation I will describe Quantum Cascade laser principles and operation and I will conclude with a brief description on the concepts we are developing about optoelectronic devices operating in the light matter strong coupling regime.