Surface-emitting photonic crystal terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Surface-emitting terahertz quantum cascade lasers based on double-metal waveguides incorporating photonic crystal structures have been demonstrated. Far-field emission patterns are dominated by lobes close to the surface normal. In addition to modified emission profiles, enhanced output powers are also displayed in comparison to standard ridge waveguides, with over 2 mW peak power observed at a heat sink temperature of 10 K