A novel patch-array antenna single-mode low electrical dissipation continuous wave Terahertz Quantum Cascade Laser

We introduce a successful double metal Terahertz (THz) Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) meant for astrophysical heterodyne measurement. The laser ridge is embedded in Benzocyclobutene (BCB) and works in continuous wave operation, emitting monochromatic light around 4.745 THz with a peak power of almost 1.8 mW at 10 K and a power consumption of ~1.6 W. Moreover, thanks to the integration of a top metal contact with a patch array antenna for light out-coupling the beam profile of the emitted light is Gaussian-like.