Metal-metal terahertz quantum cascade laser with micro-transverse-electromagnetic-horn antenna

Abstract

A 2.8 THz metal-metal quantum cascade laser operating with a microtransverse-electromagnetic-horn antenna has been demonstrated. By comparing the far-field radiation pattern to a standard ridge cavity with a cleaved facet, a striking improvement of the directionality is observed. The effectiveness of the horn antenna is critically dependent on the control of the lateral modes in the laser cavity.