Ultra-Wideband Tunable Dual-Mode Laser for Continuous Wave Terahertz Generation

An innovative external cavity dual-mode laser has been developed for continuous-wave terahertz generation via photomixing. Photomixing is a method of generating terahertz radiation at the beat frequency developed by two input optical light modes. Dual-mode lasers are an intriguing option for photomixing sources because the differential frequency produced is stabilized by the common mode rejection ratio effect. The laser presented here utilizes an acousto-optic tunable filter for frequency selection, which creates an ultra-wideband tunable range and provides the potential for tuning speed on the order of microseconds. The unique design of this laser enables 100% solid state operation resulting in a robust and compact system for applications in terahertz imaging or spectroscopy. Operating at around 1550 nm, this laser is capable of producing differential frequencies between 300 GHz and 18 THz with a side-mode-suppression-ratio of 50 dB and peak amplitudes of over 0 dBm. The device presented here represents a significant achievement in the advancement of dual mode lasing technology for tunable terahertz generation with high phase and amplitude stability.