We just published a new article on Light: Science and Applications: Continuous-wave laser operation of a dipole antenna terahertz microresonator, by L. Masini, A. Pitanti et al.

In this paper we show how a properly designed THz quantum-cascade laser cavity can emit vertically at 3 THz with low divergence (±10°). This is done by coupling two whispering-gallery-mode cylindrical resonators through a suspended metallic wire which locally shapes the electric field as in a linear dipole antenna. When the right balance between coupling and losses is reached, the dipole-antenna microresonator shows impressive performances, with CW operation at temperatures exceeding 50 K, roughly 0.35 mW of power and low beam divergence.

You can find the full article here

We just published a new paper on Scientific Reports: Thermal noise and optomechanical features in the emission of a membrane-coupled compound cavity laser diode, by L. Baldacci, A. Pitanti et al.

In this paper, laser self-mixing technique was pushed to new limits allowing for the measurement of the thermal motion of a mirror suspended on a trampoline membrane.
Laser light is shined onto the membrane and then reflected back into the laser cavity: since the membrane is shaking due to its own temperature (remember the Fluctuation-Dissipation theorem), the external cavity length is modulated; conversely this also modulates the laser gain and consequently the emitted power.
It’s just as the membrane workout is pumping up the light!

Click here to read the full article.

We just published a new article on Scientific Reports: Hyperuniform disordered terahertz quantum cascade laser, by R. Degl’Innocenti et al.

Shaping and controlling light emission from a QCL is still relevant for the development of applications based on THz spectroscopy and to devise novel kind of devices for photonics and optomechanics. Moreover, exotic statistical regimes can be explored, where the laser can be built through an assembly of scatterer arranged in ordered or disordered/random fashion. In particular, here we show how a hyperuniform distribution, in-between random and periodic systems, can reveal interesting properties of optoelectronics performances of a QCL.

Check out the paper here

Alessandro Pitanti won the second place of the Raith Micrograph awards 2015 with a picture of the silicon nitride suspended mirrors developed in SouLMan. Check the other winners on the Raith website

 

Welcome to the official website of SouLMan, ERC – Advanced Grant. Here you will find the scientific background of the project, the main results as well as all the people involved. Follow us for all the latest news in THz Optomechanics.