A method for generating terahertz radiation based on a dual-frequency solid-state laser with Bragg grating-coupled cavities

Gavrish M.V., Prokhorova U.V., Rozanov P.K., Sementin, V.V., Sukhanov G.A., Boreisho, A.S., Nikonorov, N.V., Pogoda, A.P.

For Russian citation (Opticheskii Zhurnal):

Гавриш М.В, Прохорова У.В., Розанов П.К., Сементин В.В., Суханов Г.А., Борейшо А.С., Никоноров Н.В., Погода А.П. Метод генерации терагерцового излучения на основе двухчастотного твердотельного лазера с резонаторами, связанными брэгговской решеткой // Оптический журнал. 2026. Т. 93. № 5. С. 51–59. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-05-51-59

Gavrish M.V., Prokhorova U.K., Rozanov P.K., Sementin V.V., Suhanov G.A., Boreysho A.S., Nikonorov N.V., Pogoda A.P. A method for generating terahertz radiation based on a dual-frequency solid-state laser with Bragg grating-coupled cavities [in Russian] // Opticheskii Zhurnal. 2026. V. 93. № 5. P. 51–59. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-05-51-59

For citation (Journal of Optical Technology):

Abstract:

The subject of the study. Generation of frequency-controlled terahertz radiation by nonlinear transformation of radiation from a controlled dual-frequency pumping laser. The purpose of the work. The problem of obtaining controlled terahertz radiation using a broadband two-frequency tunable Cr:LiSAF laser with optically coupled resonators is solved. Methods. A pulsed laser on a Cr:LiSAF broadband medium with two resonators optically connected by a Bragg grating, a two-frequency generation mode and the ability to adjust the frequency difference is used as the pump source. The difference frequency of the optical radiation of the pump source is converted into terahertz radiation by generating a difference frequency in a nonlinear crystal MgO:LiNbO3. The main results. The generation of terahertz radiation in the range of 0.5–2.5 THz with a peak power of 3.75 mW has been experimentally demonstrated. The practical significance of the work lies in the creation of a relatively compact source of directed pulsed radiation in the terahertz range compared to other single crystal lasers. Based on the fact that the pump laser can be tuned to a wavelength in the range of 100 nm, it is planned to obtain a tunable source of terahertz radiation. The ability to adjust the frequency is critically important for high-speed adaptive communications, non-invasive biomedical diagnostics, and spectroscopy.

Keywords:

Bragg grating, emission spectrum, optically coupled resonators, high-resistance silicon grown by the zone melting method, Cr:LiSAF laser, MgO:LiNbO3 crystal, terahertz generation, difference frequency generation

Acknowledgements:

this work was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of the State assignment “Fundamental research in the field of creating devices and technologies for the development of key nodes of highspeed laser space communication terminals” FZWF-2025-0002. R&D 125052706438-3

OCIS codes: 260.2110

References:

1. Fujita K., Horita K., Butron S. Room-temperature terahertz quantum cascade lasers // Photonics Spectra. 2020. V. 54. P. 32.

2. Razeghi M., Lu Q. Room temperature terahertz and frequency combs based on intersubband quantum cascade laser diodes: History and future // Photonics. 2025. V. 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12010079

3. Vijayraghavan K., Adams R.W., Vizbaras A., et al. Terahertz sources based on Cherenkov difference-frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers // Appl. Phys. Lett. 2012. V. 100. P. 241104. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4729042

4. Lu Q.Y., Bandyopadhyay N., Slivken S., et al. Widely tuned room temperature terahertz quantum cascade laser sources based on difference-frequency generation // Appl. Phys. Lett. 2012. V. 101. P. 251121. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4773189

5. Li R., Zhang G., Zhang L., et al. Optical properties of barium borate crystal in the THz range revisited // Opt. Lett. 2025. V. 50. P. 686–689. https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.545511

6. Gupta A., Zhang T., Hanyecz V., et al. Two-photon absorption and its saturation in organic terahertz-generator crystals // Opt. Mater. Exp. 2025. V. 15. P. 2056–2065. https://doi.org/10.1364/OME.557213

7. Pavicevic D., Nishida M., Song J., et al. Tunable narrowband THz generation in the organic crystal BNA // Opt. Lett. 2026. V. 51. Iss. 4. P. 941–944. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.22284

8. Meng X., Wang K., Yu X., et al. Generation and characterization of intense terahertz pulses from DSTMS crystal // Opt. Exp. 2023. V. 31. P. 23923–23930. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.496248

9. Vijayakumar P., Tadka S.N., Balaraju K., et al. Modified Bridgman assisted ZnTe crystal growth for THz device applications // J. Alloys and Compounds. 2024. V. 1001. P. 175176. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175176

10. Zhang B., Ma Z., Ma J., et al. 1.4‐mJ high energy terahertz radiation from lithium niobates // Laser and Photonics Rev. July 2020. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2007.09322

11. Tani M., Kinoshita T., Nagase T., et al. Non-ellipsometric detection of terahertz radiation using heterodyne EO sampling in the Cherenkov velocity matching scheme // Opt. Exp. 2013. V. 21. P. 9277–9288. http://doi.org/10.1364/OE.21.009277

12. Xu D.-G., Zhu X.-L., Wang Y.-Y., et al. Optical-induced dielectric tunability properties of DAST crystal in THz range // Chin. Phys. B. 2019. V. 28. № 12. P. 127701. http://doi.org/10.1088/1674-1056/ab4e81

13. Wang R., Fang W., Zhao P., et al. Growth and characteristics of ZnTe single crystal for THz technology // Chin. J. Semiconductors. 2008. V. 29. P. 940–943. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286014700_Growth_and_characteristics_of_ZnTe_single_crystal_for_THz_technology

14. Olgun H.T., Tian W., Cirmi G., et al. Highly efficient generation of narrowband terahertz radiation driven by a two-spectral-line laser in PPLN // Opt. Lett. 2022. V. 47. № 10. P. 2374. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2111.06198

15. Kitaeva G.K., Markov D.A., Safronenkov D.A., et al. Prizm couplers with convex output surfaces for nonlinear Cherenkov terahertz generation // Photonics. 2023. V. 10. P. 450. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10040450

16. Kurnikov M.A., Abramovsky N.A., Shugurov A.I., et al. Efficient Cherenkov-type optical-to-terahertz conversion of femtosecond oscillator pulses // Photonics. 2024. V. 11. http://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11010062

17. Mine S., Yamamoto N., Kawase K., et al. Collinear injection-seeded terahertz parametric generator // APL Photonics. 2024. V. 9. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0182369

18. Takeya K., Minami T., Okano H., et al. Enhanced Cherenkov phase matching terahertz wave generation via a magnesium oxide doped lithium niobate ridged waveguide crystal // APL Photonics. 2017. V. 2. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4968043

19. Molter D., Theuer M., Beigang R. Nanosecond terahertz optical parametric oscillator with a novel quasi phase matching scheme in lithium niobate // Opt. Exp. 2009. V. 17. № 8. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.006623

20. Попов Е.Э., Сергеев А.А., Погода А.П. и др. Импульсная генерация излучения в широком диапазоне длин волн на кристалле LiSrAlF₆:Cr // Оптический журнал. 2022. Т. 89. № 5. С. 11–20. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2022-89-05-11-20

Popov E.E., Sergeev A.A., Pogoda A.P., et al. Pulsed lasing in a broad wavelength range in Cr:LiSrAlF₆ crystal // J. Opt. Technol. 2022. V. 89 № 5. P. 255–261. https://doi.org/10.1364/JOT.89.000255