Matthew D. Escarra

Enhanced coupling of terahertz radiation to cylindrical wire waveguides

Wire waveguides have recently been shown to be valuable for transporting pulsed terahertz radiation. This technique relies on the use of a scattering mechanism for input coupling. A radially polarized surface wave is excited when a linearly polarized terahertz pulse is focused on the gap between the wire waveguide and another metal structure. We calculate the input coupling efficiency using a simulation based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). Additional FEM results indicate that enhanced coupling efficiency can be achieved through the use of a radially symmetric photoconductive antenna. Experimental results confirm that such an antenna can generate terahertz radiation which couples to the radial waveguide mode with greatly improved efficiency.

Finite-Element Method Simulations of Guided Wave Phenomena at Terahertz Frequencies

As the science and engineering associated with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging evolves past the use of conventional free-space optics, the continued development of waveguides for terahertz pulses is increasingly relevant. The ability to model and simulate terahertz wave propagation aids in the development, visualization, and understanding of novel terahertz devices and phenomena. We discuss the use of the finite-element method, a powerful computational tool for the modeling of guided wave phenomena and devices at terahertz frequencies.

A quantum cascade laser cw cavity ringdown spectrometer coupled to a supersonic expansion source

A new instrument has been constructed that couples a supersonic expansion source to a continuous wave cavity ringdown spectrometer using a Fabry-Perot quantum cascade laser (QCL). The purpose of the instrument is to enable the acquisition of a cold, rotationally resolved gas phase spectrum of buckminsterfullerene (C(60)). As a first test of the system, high resolution spectra of the nu(8) vibrational band of CH(2)Br(2) have been acquired at approximately 1197 cm(-1). To our knowledge, this is the first time that a vibrational band not previously recorded with rotational resolution has been acquired with a QCL-based ringdown spectrometer. 62 transitions of the three isotopologues of CH(2)Br(2) were assigned and fit to effective Hamiltonians with a standard deviation of 14 MHz, which is smaller than the laser frequency step size. The spectra have a noise equivalent absorption coefficient of 1.4 x 10(-8) cm(-1). Spectral simulations of the band indicate that the supersonic source produces rotationally cold (approximately 7 K) molecules.

Quantum cascade lasers with voltage defect of less than one longitudinal optical phonon energy

Efficient use of applied voltage in quantum cascade (QC) lasers is a critical factor in achieving high wall-plug efficiency and low compliance voltage. We demonstrate a QC laser emitting at 4.2 μm featuring a low voltage defect and short injector with only four quantum wells. Devices with a voltage defect of 20 meV, well below the energy of the longitudinal optical phonons, and a voltage efficiency of 91%, a record value for QC lasers, are reported for pulsed operation at 180 K. Voltage efficiencies of greater than 80% are exhibited at room temperature. Overall performance showed wall-plug efficiencies ranging from 21% at cryogenic temperatures to 5.3% at room temperature.

Analytical technique for subwavelength far field imaging

We develop an analytical technique for retrieving the size and shape of subwavelength objects using far-field measurements. The approach relies on subwavelength diffraction gratings scattering evanescent information into the far field along with a numerical algorithm that is capable of deconvoluting this information based on the far-field intensity measurements. Several examples are presented, demonstrating resolution on the order of λ0/20. The developed method can be used at any frequency range, and may become a practical alternative to scanning near-field microscopy.

Thermoelectric Effect in Quantum Cascade Lasers

The choice of polarity of operation in a quantum cascade (QC) laser is made at the beginning of every QC laser design and growth, yet little work has been done to ascertain any performance benefits of one polarity versus the other. In this paper, we compare two QC lasers of the same design, differentiated only by the reversing of the growth order of the heterostructure layers in the laser core, which results in opposite polarities of operation. Analysis is performed through continuous wave (CW) and pulsed threshold current measurements to observe the change in active core temperature with input power. A thermoelectric effect is observed, where the direction of current flow improves thermal transport in negative polarity lasers (electron flow toward the heat sink) over positive polarity (electron flow away from the heat sink), leading to a maximum observed reduction in laser core heating of 10.0 ± 5.5 K for a thermal load of 7.2 kW/cm2 in CW operation.

Reflection hologram solar spectrum-splitting filters

In this paper we investigate the use of holographic filters in solar spectrum splitting applications. Photovoltaic (PV) systems utilizing spectrum splitting have higher theoretical conversion efficiency than single bandgap cell modules. Dichroic band-rejection filters have been used for spectrum splitting applications with some success however these filters are limited to spectral control at fixed reflection angles. Reflection holographic filters are fabricated by recording interference pattern of two coherent beams at arbitrary construction angles. This feature can be used to control the angles over which spectral selectivity is obtained. In addition focusing wavefronts can also be used to increase functionality in the filter. Holograms fabricated in dichromated gelatin (DCG) have the benefit of light weight, low scattering and absorption losses. In addition, reflection holograms recorded in the Lippmann configuration have been shown to produce strong chirping as a result of wet processing. Chirping broadens the filter rejection bandwidth both spectrally and angularly. It can be tuned to achieve spectral bandwidth suitable for spectrum splitting applications. We explore different DCG film fabrication and processing parameters to improve the optical performance of the filter. The diffraction efficiency bandwidth and scattering losses are optimized by changing the exposure energy, isopropanol dehydration bath temperature and hardening bath duration. A holographic spectrum-splitting PV module is proposed with Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and silicon (Si) PV cells with efficiency of 25.1% and 19.7% respectively. The calculated conversion efficiency with a prototype hologram is 27.94% which is 93.94% compared to the ideal spectrum-splitting efficiency of 29.74%.

Short Injector Quantum Cascade Lasers

We report our study on the effects of shortened quantum cascade (QC) laser injector regions. While conventional short-wavelength QC lasers typically have around seven or more injector region quantum wells, we investigate QC structures with three and two injector wells. Improvements in threshold currents, output powers, and wall-plug efficiencies are expected for fundamental reasons. At heat sink temperatures near 80 K, we observe threshold current densities less than 0.5 kA/cm2, nearly 4 W peak output power, and wall-plug efficiencies in excess of 20%. At room temperature, we see threshold current densities around 2.3 kA/cm2, output powers in excess of 1 W, and wall-plug efficiencies around 7.6%. We also observe new effects in midinfrared QC lasers, such as a pronounced negative differential resistance, pulse instabilities, and multiple and varied turn-off mechanisms. These effects result from the greatly abbreviated injector regions with highly discrete states.

Spectrum-splitting photovoltaics: Holographic spectrum splitting in eight-junction, ultra-high efficiency module

To achieve photovoltaic energy conversion with ultra-high module efficiency, the number of junctions can be increased beyond the 3-5 used in conventional lattice-matched multi-junction photovoltaics. We demonstrate a photovoltaic design that incorporates eight III-V semiconductor junctions arranged laterally as four dual-junction subcells operating electrically and optically in an independent manner. An integrated holographic optical element is used to split the incoming solar spectrum into four different spectral bands, each diffracted onto the appropriate subcell. In addition, two-axis concentration is used to achieve total concentration of 672 suns. A preliminary design for this holographic spectrum splitter composed of twelve simple, commercially available holograms predicts an achievable 76.1% optical efficiency and 37.1% two-terminal module efficiency; opportunities for improved efficiency are discussed.

Transmissive spectrum splitting multi-junction solar module for hybrid CPV/CSP system

A new scalable, modular hybrid solar power system is designed to generate electricity through two pathways, CPV and CSP, in order to better meet grid energy demands for reliable renewable energy. The key element, a transmissive, spectrum-splitting multi-junction solar module, is modeled and simulated to analyze its electrical, optical, and thermal properties. Optimized designs are proposed to deliver high efficiency visible light-to-electricity conversion while transmitting infrared light to a thermal receiver. Prospective challenges in the upcoming development and fabrication are discussed.