Continuous-Wave Reflection Imaging Using Optical Feedback Interferometry in Terahertz and Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers

Author

Mezzapesa, F.P. ; Petruzzella, M. ; Dabbicco, M. ; Beere, H.E. ; Ritchie, D.A. ; Vitiello, M.S. ; Scamarcio, G.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Phys., Univ. of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy

Volume

4

Issue

5

fYear

2014

fDate

Sept. 2014

Firstpage

631

Lastpage

633

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate a coherent imaging system based on Terahertz and mid-infrared (MIR) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in terms of phase sensitivity against optical feedback. In the self-mixing scheme, a single QCL acting as oscillator, mixer and detector of infrared radiation, is used for continuous-wave reflection imaging as well as phase profiling. We study the dependence of the phase signature on the optical feedback level and assess the limit for phase signal detection.

Keywords

image sensors; infrared detectors; laser feedback; light interferometry; measurement by laser beam; optical signal detection; quantum cascade lasers; MIR; coherent imaging system; continuous-wave reflection imaging; infrared radiation detector; mid-infrared quantum cascade laser; mixer; optical feedback interferometry; optical feedback level; oscillator; phase profiling; phase sensitivity; phase signal detection; phase signature; self-mixing scheme; single QCL; terahertz quantum cascade laser; Laser feedback; Optical feedback; Optical imaging; Optical interferometry; Optical sensors; Quantum cascade lasers; Quantum cascade laser (QCL); THz imaging; laser sensors; optical feedback interferometry; optical sensing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Terahertz Science and Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

2156-342X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TTHZ.2014.2329312

Filename

6839052