applied

sciences
Article
Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy Based on
Commercially Available 1550 nm Fabry–Perot Laser
Diode and ErAs:In(Al)GaAs Photoconductors
Kai-Henning Tybussek 1,2 , Kevin Kolpatzeck 1 , Fahd Faridi 3 , Sascha Preu 3 and Jan C. Balzer 1, *
1 Chair of Communication Systems NTS, University of Duisburg-Essen 47057 Duisburg, Germany
2 French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis ISL, F-68301 Saint-Louis, France
3 Terahertz Devices and Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology,
TU Darmstadt, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
* Correspondence: jan.balzer@uni-duisburg-essen.de




Received: 17 June 2019; Accepted: 1 July 2019; Published: 3 July 2019


Abstract: THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) is a promising tool for quality control purposes in
industrial applications, but the high cost and the relatively large laser sources still make it difficult to
use the full potential of the technology for a decent price. In this work, a THz TDS system, which uses
a commercially available Fabry–Perot laser diode emitting at 1550 nm, is presented. By dispersion
compensation, pulses with a duration of 544 fs were generated, resulting in THz radiation with a
bandwidth of 1.4 THz and a peak dynamic range of 56 dB with state-of-the-art ErAs:In(Al)GaAs
photoconducting antennas. These results are compared with those of a conventional and expensive
fiber laser system with a 90 fs pulse duration.

Keywords: THz time-domain spectroscopy; mode-locked laser diode; telecom technology; photoconductors

1. Introduction
Over the last three decades, THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) has matured from proof of
principle demonstrations [1] to a widely utilized tool in basic research and industrial applications [2].
Especially for industrial applications in real-world scenarios, it is mandatory to find compact and
cost-effective solutions for the required ultrafast laser source, which drives the THz TDS system. While
first experiments were performed with dye lasers, more user-friendly and reliable Ti-sapphire lasers
later enabled the first THz TDS images [3]. A big step towards user-friendly and more compact systems
was the employment of erbium-doped ultrafast fiber lasers [4]. With these systems it was possible
to demonstrate several real-world related applications including non-destructive testing [5–7], food
quality control [8–10], and applications in archeology [11–13].
However, fiber-lasers are still not the ideal solution for ultra-compact and cost-effective systems.
They must be pumped optically and still make up 50% of the total costs of a THz TDS system [14].
From a system engineer’s point of view, a semiconductor laser diode is the ideal light source. It can
be pumped electrically, has a very small footprint, and can be inexpensively mass-produced by the
semiconductor industry. Despite these advantages, no commercially available THz TDS system is
driven by a monolithic laser diode. The utter lack of ultrafast monolithic laser diodes stems from the
complex semiconductor physics, which prohibit the direct generation of ultrashort laser pulses [15–17].
One method to overcome this problem is the use of inexpensive multimode laser diodes without any
locking. The photomixer generates multiple THz frequencies by mixing the longitudinal laser modes.
This technique requires no specific phase relation of the modes. Furthermore, short-term fluctuations
caused by mode competition average out during a measurement due to temporal integration at each

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2704; doi:10.3390/app9132704 www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2704 2 of 9

time step. Initially, this technique was called THz cross-correlation spectroscopy (CCS) [18,19] and
was later established as THz quasi time-domain spectroscopy (QTDS) [20,21]. Recent publications
demonstrate the feasibility at telecom wavelengths with a bandwidth of up to 2 THz [22,23]. However,
the performance of a mode-locked laser diode in THz TDS should be superior to CCS/QTDS since the
peak power and, hence, the generated THz power is higher, compared to a continuous wave laser.
So far only one demonstration for THz TDS using a monolithic laser diode exists [24], wherein
a research grade laser diode was used to drive a standard THz TDS system. The bandwidth was
limited to 800 GHz with a peak dynamic range of 45 dB. The poor performance, compared to recent
CCS/QTDS results, originated from rather broad pulses (~900 fs), low average optical power (5 mW)
at the photoconductive antennas (PCA), and an emitter PCA carrier lifetime of 30 ps, which is long
compared to the 25 ps period of the laser pulses.
In this paper, a commercially available laser diode was used to drive state-of-the-art
ErAs:In(Al)GaAs PCAs with carrier lifetimes around 2 ps (source: 2.1 ± 0.4 ps, receiver: 1.55 ± 0.1 ps).
The intrinsic linear chirp of the fiber-coupled laser diode can be compensated by the dispersion of
a standard single mode fiber. In the first step, its essential to find a stable operation mode and the
optimal fiber length for minimal pulse duration. Then, a classic THz TDS setup was used to evaluate
the capability to generate and detect THz radiation. The results are compared to a state-of-the-art
pulsed fiber laser.

2. Experimental Setup
A block diagram of the experimental setup is depicted in Figure 1. It can be divided in two parts,
the laser system (shaded in red) and the THz system (shaded in blue).
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 9

Figure 1. Schematic of the THz TDS setup. The red part shows the setup used for the analysis of the
Figure 1. Schematic of the THz TDS setup. The red part shows the setup used for the analysis of
laser characteristics of the monolithic Fabry–Perot laser diode and polarization management for the
the laser characteristics
input signal of theofTHz
thesystem.
monolithic Fabry–Perot
The laser laser diodewith
chirp can be compensated anda polarization
SMF (single mode management
fiber) for
the input of signal of length.
variable the THzThe system. The laser
blue part shows chirp
a classical can
TDS bewith
setup compensated with
a delay-line, the THza optics,
SMF (single
and mode
ErAs:In(Al)GaAs
fiber) of variable length. emitter
The blue(Tx) part
and ErAs:In(Al)GaAs
shows a classical receiver
TDS (Rx) with the
setup withneeded electrical devices
a delay-line, the THz optics,
for data acquisition and THz signal generation.
and ErAs:In(Al)GaAs emitter (Tx) and ErAs:In(Al)GaAs receiver (Rx) with the needed electrical devices
for data
2.2.acquisition
THz System:and THz signal generation.
The optical signal at the input of the THz system is distributed to the two PCAs by a fiber optic
PM 50/50 beam splitter. The PCAs are ErAs:In(Al)GaAs photoconductors, optimized for 1550 nm
excitation, similar to those presented in Reference [27]. The source consists of a superlattice of 15 nm
InGaAs, 1.5 nm p-InAlAs, 0.8 monolayers ErAs, and 1.5 nm p-InAlAs with 90 periods. It is connected
to an H-dipole with a central dipole length of 35 µm and a gap of 20 µm. The receiver is a superlattice
with 90 periods of 15 nm InGaAs, 1.6 monolayers delta-p-doped ErAs, and 2 nm p-InAlAs with an
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2704 3 of 9

2.1. Laser System

The monolithic laser source in our setup is a fiber-coupled Fabry–Perot laser diode (FPL1009P,
Thorlabs). It offers a small footprint, can be pumped electrically, is commercially available, and is
inexpensive (<$1500) as compared to fiber lasers. Its emission wavelength is centered at 1550 nm,
which makes the laser compatible with established telecom technology. The free spectral range (FSR)
is 43.47 GHz, while the average output power exceeds 100 mW at an injection current of 500 mA.
Although this laser is sold as a longitudinal multimode laser with no hint of mode locking capabilities,
there was the conjecture from previous experiments that the broad emission spectrum with a full-width
half-maximum exceeding 10 nm is a sign of four-wave mixing mode locking in this single section
laser [25,26]. In this case, the laser emits linearly chirped pulses, which can be compressed by the
anomalous dispersion of a standard single mode fiber (SMF) [24].
The rest of the laser system setup is as follows: To suppress unwanted feedback from the rest of
the setup, a fiber optic isolator is employed. The inherent chirp of the laser can be compensated using
a SMF with variable length. A fused fiber polarization splitter (PS) is used to ensure well-defined
linear polarization at the output of the laser system. The polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) at the
slow-axis output of the PS is connected to the PMF at the input of a fiber optic 50/50 beam splitter.
The PMF at the fast-axis output of the PS is connected to a power meter. A polarization controller at
the input of the section of SMF is used to minimize the power at the fast-axis output of the PS, thus
maximizing the power at the slow-axis output. To check whether an ultrashort laser pulse exists,
a second harmonic generation (SHG) autocorrelator (pulseCheck, APE Berlin) is used to determine the
length of the pulse. The length of the SMF can then be varied to find optimal dispersion compensation
and hence the shortest pulse. The autocorrelation function (ACF) is directly measured before the PCAs
to determine the correct pulse duration. Further, an optical spectrum analyzer (MS9740A, Anritsu) is
used to obtain the optical spectrum of the laser diode.

2.2. THz System

The optical signal at the input of the THz system is distributed to the two PCAs by a fiber optic
PM 50/50 beam splitter. The PCAs are ErAs:In(Al)GaAs photoconductors, optimized for 1550 nm
excitation, similar to those presented in Reference [27]. The source consists of a superlattice of 15 nm
InGaAs, 1.5 nm p-InAlAs, 0.8 monolayers ErAs, and 1.5 nm p-InAlAs with 90 periods. It is connected
to an H-dipole with a central dipole length of 35 µm and a gap of 20 µm. The receiver is a superlattice
with 90 periods of 15 nm InGaAs, 1.6 monolayers delta-p-doped ErAs, and 2 nm p-InAlAs with an
H-dipole of length 100 µm and a gap of 10 µm. The optical signal for the detector can be delayed by
a translation stage (M-ILS150CC Motorized Linear Stage, Newport). The THz system was operated
under ambient air.
The photocurrent generated at the receiving PCA is converted to a voltage with a transimpedance-
amplifier (TIA) and detected by a lock-in amplifier (MFLI, Zürich Instruments). Lock-in detection is
facilitated by modulating the bias voltage of the transmitting PCA with a sine wave. The sine wave
is generated by a signal generator (HP8116A). A high-voltage amplifier (Tabor Electronics 9200) is
used to adapt the output voltage range to the required bias voltage of the PCA (~120 V). The lock-in
amplifier is synchronized with the signal generator.

2.3. Reference Laser System

To compare the performance of the monolithic laser diode with other laser sources, the measurements
have been repeated with a state-of-the-art 1550 nm fiber laser system, from Menlo Systems, with 90 fs
pulse duration. This system replaces the red part (optical setup) of Figure 1, while the blue part (THz
Setup) remains unchanged.
 Systems, with 90 fs pulse duration. This system replaces the red part (optical setup) of Figure 1, while
the blue part (THz Setup) remains unchanged.

3. Results
This
Appl. Sci. section
2019, 9, 2704 shows
the results from the optical characterization of the laser diode FPL1009P, the
4 of 9
measured THz time-domain traces, and spectra. Further, a spectrum recorded with the fiber laser
from Menlo Systems is compared to the results from the monolithic laser diode.
3. Results
3.1. This
Optical Characterization
section shows the results from the optical characterization of the laser diode FPL1009P,
the measured THz time-domain
The power spectrum traces,
of the and spectra.
monolithic laserFurther,
diode aisspectrum
measuredrecorded
with anwith the fiber
optical laser
spectrum
from Menlo
analyzer at Systems is comparedof
a laser temperature to Tthe results°Cfrom
= 20.10 andthe
an monolithic laser diode.
injection current of I = 487 mA. The trace is
depicted in Figure 2a. From the spectrum, the mode spacing was calculated to be ∆𝑓 = 43.47 GHz.
3.1. Optical Characterization
If the laser is mode-locked, the optimal dispersion for chirp compensation can be estimated from the
−10 The power spectrum
dB bandwidth, ∆𝑓 of, and ∆𝑓
the monolithic[28],laser diode is measured with an optical spectrum analyzer
as follows:
at a laser temperature of T = 20.10 C and an injection current of I = 487 mA. The trace is depicted
◦
|𝐵| =the2𝜋∆𝑓 ∆𝑓 = 2.274 ps , to be ∆ f (1)
in Figure 2a. From the spectrum, mode spacing was calculated FSR = 43.47 GHz. If the
withis∆𝑓
laser = 1.61 THz.
mode-locked, the optimal
From the dispersion for chirp
group velocity GVD =
compensation
dispersion, 0.023
can ps ⁄m offrom
be estimated the −10
an SMF dB
at 1550
nm follows∆a fpredicted
bandwidth, 10dB , and ∆ fFSR length
fiber [28], asoffollows:
99 m.
To check whether the laser is mode-locked, the second harmonic generation (SHG) ACF is measured
|B| measured
after the beam splitter. First, we fFSR )−1
the∆ ACF
= (2π∆ f10dB = 2.274
without ps2 ,
additional (1)
fiber. In this case, the total
fiber length is 14 m due to the fiber from the laser, the fiber-based isolator, and the polarization
with ∆ f10dB = 1.61 THz. From the group velocity dispersion, GVD = 0.023 ps2 /m of an SMF at
controller. The ACF can be seen as a flat gray line in Figure 2b.
1550 nm follows a predicted fiber length of 99 m.

Figure2.2.(a)
Figure (a)Shows
Showsthethespectrum
spectrumofofthe
theFPL1009P.
FPL1009P.The
Thetotal
totalfiber
fiberlength
lengthinin
(a,b)
(a) is
and84 (b)
m. is
(b)84Shows
m. (b)
the
Shows the autocorrelation function after dispersion compensation with 84 m SMF (black) m
autocorrelation function after dispersion compensation with 84 m SMF (black) and 14 and(gray),
14 m
the simulated autocorrelation function (ACF) with a residual chirp (red), and with
(gray), the simulated autocorrelation function (ACF) with a residual chirp (red), and with perfect perfect chirp
compensation (green).(green).
chirp compensation The measured FWHMFWHM
The measured is 762 fs, which
is 762 fs, corresponds to a deconvoluted
which corresponds pulse
to a deconvoluted
duration of 544 fs.
pulse duration of 544 fs.

To check whether the laser is mode-locked, the second harmonic generation (SHG) ACF is
The SMF length that provides the best chirp compensation is determined experimentally by
measured after the beam splitter. First, we measured the ACF without additional fiber. In this case,
changing the total fiber length from 14 m to 84 m in steps of 5 m and finer steps close to the optimum
the total fiber length is 14 m due to the fiber from the laser, the fiber-based isolator, and the polarization
point. At a total fiber length of 84 m, the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the measured ACF
controller. The ACF can be seen as a flat gray line in Figure 2b.
reaches a minimum of 762 fs. The measured ACF is depicted in black in Figure 2b and clearly
The SMF length that provides the best chirp compensation is determined experimentally by
demonstrates that the laser diode is mode-locked. The mismatch of 15 m for the optimal fiber length
changing the total fiber length from 14 m to 84 m in steps of 5 m and finer steps close to the optimum
point. At a total fiber length of 84 m, the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the measured
ACF reaches a minimum of 762 fs. The measured ACF is depicted in black in Figure 2b and clearly
demonstrates that the laser diode is mode-locked. The mismatch of 15 m for the optimal fiber length
between the estimated and the experimentally found fiber length originates from the phenomenological
nature of Equation (1). The −10 dB bandwidth is especially highly dependent on the shape of the
optical spectrum.
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2704 5 of 9

To verify the chirp compensation, the ACF can be simulated from the measured power spectrum
as follows: The electric field of the laser signal is given by the sum of those of the individual modes,

N−1
X
ELD (t) = Ek ·ej[2π·( f0 +k·∆ fFSR )t+ϕk ] , (2)
k =0

where Ek and ϕk denote the amplitude and phase of mode k, respectively. The corresponding
instantaneous optical power, i.e., the optical pulse envelope, is

2
Popt (t) = ELD (t) , (3)

and the ACF, R(τ), can be calculated according to

Z ∞
R(τ) = Popt (t + τ)·Popt (t) dt. (4)
−∞

The chirp-free case is approximated by a linear phase relationship between the modes, i.e.,

ϕk,lin = ϕ0,lin ·k , (5)

with the arbitrary phase slope ϕ0,lin .

The residual chirp in our measurement is approximated by assuming a square phase profile, i.e.,
!2
k
ϕk,squ = ϕ0,squ · . (6)
N

The parameter ϕ0,squ is optimized so that the FWHM of the simulated ACF matches the FWHM of the
measured ACF.
The chirp-free case is depicted as the green line in Figure 2b with an FWHM of the ACF of 656 fs.
The simulated ACF for the case of a residual chirp is depicted as the red line in Figure 2b and exhibits a
FWHM of 762 fs. Its shape closely matches the shape of the measured ACF (black).
Further, a conversion factor can be calculated for the ACF of the measured pulse with the simulated
data. The ACF is always broader than the underlying pulse. Dividing the FWHM of the simulated
ACF by the FWHM of the simulated pulse yields a factor of 1.4. The deconvoluted pulse duration is
thus 544 fs for the measured pulse. The pulse is a factor of 1.16 wider than the ideal chirp-free pulse.
This deviation can be explained by higher order dispersion, which cannot be compensated by simply
adding SM fiber length. The time-bandwidth-product (TBP) of the laser is 0.7, with a 3 dB bandwidth
of 1.3 THz.

3.2. THz Results

The above-described measurements demonstrate that the used laser diode is mode-locked.
We used the optimum parameters (injection current, fiber length) to drive the THz setup (Figure 1,
blue part) with the laser diode. The transimpedance amplifier (TIA) before the lock-in amplifier is set
to a gain of 107 V/A. The lock-in frequency is set to 17.3 kHz and the amplitude of the external sine
wave reference is set to 7 V. The HV amplifier is used to increase the reference voltage by a factor of 15
to 105 V for the emitter antenna, which results in a maximum photocurrent of 205 µA. The integration
time, tc , is set to 1 ms. At each time step, a waiting time of 10 ms is introduced as the settling time for
the lock-in amplifier. The scan window is 120 mm at a step size of 0.025 mm. The optical power is
22 mW at the THz emitter and 27 mW at the THz receiver.
Figure 3a,c shows the THz time-domain traces recorded with the FPL1009P. The time between
the pulses is ∆t = 23 ps for both time-traces and corresponds to the inverse repetition rate of the laser,
at 43.47 GHz. The laser´s high repetition rate causes the discrete spectrum shown in Figure 3b,d
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2704 6 of 9

obtained by Fourier transformation. The measurements shown in Figure 3c,d are done with a metallic
mesh-filter inside the THz path. This filter acts as a high pass filter attenuating the low frequency
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 9
components (particularly <400 GHz) in the spectrum.

Figure3.3.THz
Figure THzTDSTDStime-domain
time-domaintraces VP2P==14.1
traces(a)(a)VP2P 14.1mV
mVand
and(c) P2P =
(c)VVP2P = 8.3 mV
mV and
and spectra
spectra(b,d)
(b,d)with
with
the FPL1009P laser diode. (a,b) are recorded without high pass mesh-filter. (c,d) with high
the FPL1009P laser diode. (a,b) are recorded without high pass mesh-filter. (c,d) with high pass mesh pass mesh
filter.
filter.(b)
(b)has
has aa peak dynamic range
range ofof 51
51dB dBand
and1.41.4THz
THzbandwidth
bandwidthand and(d)
(d)with
with filter:
filter: 4848
dBdB and
and 1.3
1.3 THz.
THz.

The
Thepeak-to-peak
peak-to-peakamplitude
amplitudeisis14.1 14.1mVmVwithout
withoutthe thefilter
filter(Figure
(Figure3a) 3a)and
and8.3
8.3mV
mVwithwiththe
themesh
mesh
filter (Figure 3c), corresponding to a decrease to 60% in peak-to-peak amplitude.
filter (Figure 3c), corresponding to a decrease to 60% in peak-to-peak amplitude. Due to an unwanted Due to an unwanted
resonance
resonancein inthe
theantenna
antennaleads,
leads,the
theemitter-receiver
emitter-receiverpair pairproduces
producesaaparticularly
particularlystrong
strongline
linearound
around
50
50 GHz, which causes ringing after the main pulse. This ringing is visible in the red shadedareas
GHz, which causes ringing after the main pulse. This ringing is visible in the red shaded areasin
in
Figure 3a, which is heavily attenuated by the filter, as shown in Figure 3c. The
Figure 3a, which is heavily attenuated by the filter, as shown in Figure 3c. The red shaded part of the red shaded part of the
pulse
pulsein inFigure
Figure3a 3ahas
hasaapeak
peakat at3.5
3.5mV,mV,whereas
whereasthis thispeak
peakisisreduced
reducedtoto0.980.98mV
mVwith
withthetheuse
useof
ofthe
the
filter. This is a reduction factor of 3.6 in amplitude of the unwanted resonance.
filter. This is a reduction factor of 3.6 in amplitude of the unwanted resonance. The visibility of the The visibility of the
filter
filtereffect
effectisismore
morepronounced
pronouncedininthe thefrequency
frequencydomain.
domain.The Thefirst
firstpeak
peakatat43.47
43.47GHz
GHzin inFigure
Figure3d3disis
suppressed by 7.5 dB, as compared to Figure 3b, but it is still dominant considering
suppressed by 7.5 dB, as compared to Figure 3b, but it is still dominant considering the peak dynamic the peak dynamic
range.
range.Therefore,
Therefore,we weneglected
neglectedititforforthethedetermination
determinationofofthe thepeak
peakdynamic
dynamicrange.
range.The
Thepeak
peakdynamic
dynamic
range is 51 dB without and 48 dB with the filter. Using the filter decreased
range is 51 dB without and 48 dB with the filter. Using the filter decreased the bandwidth the bandwidth from from
1.4 THz
1.4
(without filter) to 1.3 THz (with filter).
THz (without filter) to 1.3 THz (with filter).
3.3. Comparison with Reference Laser System
3.3. Comparison with Reference Laser System
In order to compare the results from the laser diode to a state-of-the-art fiber laser, we repeated the
In order to compare the results from the laser diode to a state-of-the-art fiber laser, we repeated
measurement with a Menlo Systems 1550 nm laser with a pulse duration shorter than 90 fs. The settings
the measurement with a Menlo Systems 1550 nm laser with a pulse duration shorter than 90 fs. The
of the lock-in amplifier are kept as before, but the step size for the delay-line was reduced to 0.01 mm
settings of the lock-in amplifier are kept as before, but the step size for the delay-line was reduced to
to resolve the higher bandwidth. The laser power is 45 mW at the emitter and 16 mW at the receiver
0.01 mm to resolve the higher bandwidth. The laser power is 45 mW at the emitter and 16 mW at the
side. For this measurement, the mesh filter is removed. The measured time-domain trace is depicted
receiver side. For this measurement, the mesh filter is removed. The measured time-domain trace is
in Figure 4a. The system generates a single THz pulse. The low frequency oscillation after the pulse is
depicted in Figure 4a. The system generates a single THz pulse. The low frequency oscillation after
the pulse is due to the above described unwanted resonance of the antenna leads. The slight ripples
after the main pulse originate from absorption due to water vapor.
 Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 9
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2704 7 of 9

Figure 4b shows the retrieved spectrum (black). The peak dynamic range is about 70 dB, while
the bandwidth exceeds 4 unwanted
due to the above described THz. The water linesof
resonance are clearly
the visible.
antenna leads.For comparison,
The theafter
slight ripples spectrum from
the main
the laser
pulse diode
originate driven
from system without
absorption meshvapor.
due to water is plotted in light red.

Figure
Figure 4. 4THz-TDS
THz-TDStime-trace
time-trace(a)
(a)and
andspectrum
spectrum(b)(b)with
withthe
thecommercial
commercialMenlo
MenloSystem
Systemand
and
thethe
FPL1009P.
FPL1009P. TheThe black
black spectrum
spectrum has
has a dynamic
a dynamic range
range ofof
7070
dBdBandand a bandwidth
a bandwidth ofof more
more than
than 4 THz.
4 THz.
The
The light
light redred spectrum
spectrum hashas a bandwidth
a bandwidth of of
1.41.4
THzTHz and
and a peak
a peak dynamic
dynamic range
range of 51
of 51 dB.dB.

Figure 4b shows the retrieved spectrum (black). The peak dynamic range is about 70 dB, while
4. Conclusions
the bandwidth exceeds 4 THz. The water lines are clearly visible. For comparison, the spectrum from
In this work, we have demonstrated that a low-cost Fabry–Perot laser diode works very well to
the laser diode driven system without mesh is plotted in light red.
drive a THz TDS setup. We found that the commercially available laser diode is mode-locked. With
4. 84 m of additional single mode fiber, the linear chirped pulse can be compressed to 544 fs. Without
Conclusions
any further amplification, a THz pulse train is generated. The spectral bandwidth of the THz signal
In THz
is 1.4 this work,
with awe have
peak demonstrated
dynamic range of that
51 dB a from
low-cost Fabry–Perot
a single laser diode works very well
measurement.
to drive For comparison, the measurement with the state-of-the-art fiberlaser
a THz TDS setup. We found that the commercially available laserdiode
underis otherwise
mode-locked. same
With 84 m of additional single mode fiber, the linear chirped pulse can be compressed
conditions shows a peak dynamic range of 70 dB and a bandwidth of more than 4 THz. Keeping in to 544 fs. Without
any further
mind thatamplification,
the laser diode a THz
costspulse
less train
than is
a generated.
tenth of theThe spectral
fiber laser, bandwidth
Fabry–Perot oflaser
the THz signal
diodes areisan
1.4excellent
THz with a peak dynamic range of 51 dB from a single measurement.
alternative to fiber lasers for future low-cost terahertz systems. For applications like the
For comparison,
detection of water content the measurement
of leaves orwith the state-of-the-art
the detection of germinablefiber sugar
laser under otherwise
beet seeds, same
a bandwidth
conditions shows a peak dynamic range of 70 dB and a bandwidth of more
below 1 THz suffices [29,30]. These applications can be realized with this cheap and compact laser than 4 THz. Keeping in
mind that the laser diode costs less than a tenth of the fiber laser, Fabry–Perot
source. Further, we see that the bandwidth is now limited by the pulse duration of the laser. If the laser diodes are an
excellent alternative
pulse duration cantobefiber lasersreduced,
further for future forlow-cost
exampleterahertz systems. For
by the modulation ofapplications
the laser diodelike the
as in
detection of water content of leaves or the detection
Reference [31], the THz bandwidth may be further increased. of germinable sugar beet seeds, a bandwidth below
1 THz suffices [29,30]. These applications can be realized with this cheap and compact laser source.
Author we
Further, Contributions:
see that theConceptualization,
bandwidth is now S.P. limited
and J.C.B.;
byData curation,
the pulse K.-H.T. of
duration andthe
F.F.; Formal
laser. analysis,
If the pulseK.-
H.T.; Investigation, K.-H.T.; Software, K.K.; Supervision, S.P. and J.C.B.; Validation, K.K. and F.F.; Writing—
duration can be further reduced, for example by the modulation of the laser diode as in Reference [31],
original draft, K.-H.T.
the THz bandwidth may be further increased.
Acknowledgments: Author S.P. acknowledges the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for funding project
Author Contributions:
number Conceptualization,
278381540 (REPHCON). S.P. and J.C.B.;support
We acknowledge Data curation,
by theK.-H.T.
Openand F.F.; Formal
Access analysis,
Publication FundK.-H.T.;
of the
Investigation,
University ofK.-H.T.; Software, K.K.; Supervision, S.P. and J.C.B.; Validation, K.K. and F.F.; Writing—original
Duisburg-Essen.
draft, K.-H.T.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments: Author S.P. acknowledges the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for funding project
number 278381540 (REPHCON). We acknowledge support by the Open Access Publication Fund of the University
of References
Duisburg-Essen.
Conflicts
1. Vanof Exter, M.;The
Interest: authorsC.;
Fattinger, declare no conflictD.
Grischkowsky, of Terahertz
interest. time-domain spectroscopy of water vapor. Opt.
Lett. 1989, 14, 1128.
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3. Hu, B.B.; Nuss, M.C. Imaging with terahertz waves. Opt. Lett. 1995. 20, 1716.
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