Broadband heterogeneous terahertz frequency quantum cascade laser

The authors demonstrate a broadband, heterogeneous terahertz frequency quantum cascade laser by exploiting an active region design based on longitudinal optical-phonon-assisted interminiband transitions. They obtain continuous wave laser emission with a threshold current density of ~120 A/cm 2 , a dynamic range of ~3.1, and an emission spectrum spanning from 2.4 to 3.4 THz at 15 K.