Continuous wave operation of terahertz metasurface quantum-cascade VECSEL with a long intra-cryostat cavity

Abstract

We report continuous wave (cw) operation of a terahertz quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser with an external cavity length of approximately 30 mm, benefited by an intra-cryostat focusing cavity. Compared to previous plano–plano cavities, an off-axis paraboloid mirror is introduced into the external cavity as a focusing element to reduce the diffraction loss and to enable cw lasing using small-area metasurfaces and long cavity lengths. The device shows lasing operation in the cw mode up to 111 K, and cw output power up to 11.5 mW at 77 K (0.5% wall-plug efficiency). A circular, directive beam pattern is collected, and free-running linewidths on the order of tens of kHz are measured over tens of seconds.