Optical feedback effects on terahertz quantum cascade lasers: modelling and applications

Aleksandar D. Rakic*, Yah Leng Lim, Thomas Taimre, Gary Agnew, Xiaoqiong Qi, Karl Bertling, She Han, Stephen J. Wilson, Iman Kundu, Andrew Grier, Zoran Ikonic, Alexander Valavanis, Aleksandar Demic, James Keeley, Lianhe H. Li, Edmund H. Linfield, A. Giles Davies, Paul Harrison, Blake Ferguson, Graeme WalkerTarl Prow, Dragan Indjin, H. Peter Soyer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are compact sources of radiation in the 1-5 THz range with significant potential for applications in sensing and imaging. Laser feedback interferometry (LFI) with THz QCLs is a technique utilizing the sensitivity of the QCL to the radiation reflected back into the laser cavity from an external target. We will discuss modelling techniques and explore the applications of LFI in biological tissue imaging and will show that the confocal nature of the QCL in LFI systems, with their innate capacity for depth sectioning, makes them suitable for skin diagnostics with the well-known advantages of more conventional confocal microscopes. A demonstration of discrimination of neoplasia from healthy tissue using a THz, LFI-based system in the context of melanoma is presented using a transgenic mouse model.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInfrared, Millimeter-Wave, and Terahertz Technologies IV
EditorsCunlin Zhang, Xi-Cheng Zhang, Masahiko Tani
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)978-1-5106-0480-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Dec 2016
Externally publishedYes
EventConference on Infrared, Millimeter-Wave, and Terahertz Technologies IV - Beijing
Duration: 12 Oct 201614 Oct 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
PublisherSPIE-INT SOC OPTICAL ENGINEERING
Volume10030
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceConference on Infrared, Millimeter-Wave, and Terahertz Technologies IV
CityBeijing
Period12/10/1614/10/16

Keywords

  • Terahertz imaging
  • Laser feedback interferometry
  • Quantum cascade lasers
  • Tissue imaging
  • FIBER RING LASER
  • SEMICONDUCTOR-LASERS
  • REFLECTION GEOMETRY
  • INTERFEROMETRY
  • TISSUE
  • SKIN
  • MODULATION
  • SPECTROSCOPY
  • FREQUENCIES
  • CARCINOMA

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optical feedback effects on terahertz quantum cascade lasers: modelling and applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this