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Development of III-V Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-04-C-0027
Agency Tracking Number: F033-0231
Amount: $99,969.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF03T024
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2003-02-09
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2004-10-09
Small Business Information
7620 Executive Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
United States
DUNS: 876868647
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Amir Dabiran
 MBE Laboratory Manager
 (952) 933-2100
 dabiran@svta.com
Business Contact
 Jane Marks
Title: Business Manager
Phone: (952) 934-2100
Email: marks@svta.com
Research Institution
 UNIV. OF NORTH CAROLINA-CHARLOTTE
 Raphael Tsu
 
Dept. of Electrical Engrg., 9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28223
United States

 (704) 547-2083
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

The purpose of this Phase I study is to develop quantum cascade laser (QCL) with terahertz (THz) emission. Terahertz photons have energies which lie in the regime between optical photons and high frequency radio waves and have many important commercial and military applications. In the QCL, quantum wells (QWs) and injection layers are grown in a III-V semiconductor superlattice. The QWs and barriers are specifically designed to create exacting quantum states and energies within the device. Levels at different energy states provide carrier transitions where stimulated emission and lasing can occur. By varying the design parameters of the superlattice the emission wavelength can be tuned in principle to arbitrarily long wavelengths. During the Phase I, we will design, grow, fabricate and test a prototype QCL based on the AlGaAs/GaAs material system. The follow on Phase II will serve to improve the device performance by optimizing the device design and utilizing other III-V semiconductor materials. Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCL) have a variety of potential commercial and military applications including space-based and short-range terrestrial or near earth communications, atmospheric sensing, and near object observation and spectroscopy monitoring of atmospheric pollutants.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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