Power stabilization of a terahertz-frequency quantum-cascade laser using a photonic-integrated modulator

Abstract

We demonstrate a technique to stabilize the emission from a 3.4-THz quantum-cascade laser against power drifts, using a recently developed photonic integrated circuit (PIC) structure formed by coupling a racetrack resonator with a ridge waveguide. This structure enables a dynamic power-control range of ±15% and locking over >600 s using a proportional–integral control loop. The resonator yields a 50% weaker perturbation to the laser emission frequency when compared with direct laser modulation, and hence offers the prospect of simultaneous, quasi-independent control of power and frequency. Progress towards integrating the PIC with a precision micromachined rectangular metallic waveguide module has also been demonstrated, with power modulation of the principal laser emission line being observed during pulsed operation.