High power THz quantum cascade laser and its demonstration in high resolution holographic imaging

Fabrication of high power terahertz quantum cascade laser (THz QCL) based upon the resonant-phonon active region design and semi-insulating surface-plasmon waveguide with frequency at 4.4 THz and its demonstration in digital holographic imaging are presented. The maximum peak output power is 95mW at 10K in pulsed mode. The maximum working temperature is 80 K. Interestingly, by changing the injection current, the transverse mode of the laser can be switched between TM
₀₀
mode and TM
₀₁
mode. With such THz QCL as the light source, the lateral resolution of a home-built digital holographic imaging system can reach 80μm.