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• Benz, A
• Deutsch, C
• Brandstetter, M
• Andrews, A
• Klang, P
• Detz, H
• Schrenk, W
• Strasser, G
• Unterrainer, K
• [+] on Google Scholar
• Benz, A
• Deutsch, C
• Brandstetter, M
• Andrews, A
• Klang, P
• Detz, H
• Schrenk, W
• Strasser, G
• Unterrainer, K
• [+] on PubMed
• Benz, A
• Deutsch, C
• Brandstetter, M
• Andrews, A
• Klang, P
• Detz, H
• Schrenk, W
• Strasser, G
• Unterrainer, K

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Sensors 2011, 11(6), 6003-6014; doi:10.3390/s110606003

Article

Terahertz Active Photonic Crystals for Condensed Gas Sensing

Alexander Benz ^1,* , Christoph Deutsch ¹ , Martin Brandstetter ¹ , Aaron M. Andrews ² , Pavel Klang ² , Hermann Detz ² , Werner Schrenk ² , Gottfried Strasser ²  and Karl Unterrainer ¹

¹ Photonics Institute and Center for Micro- and Nanostructures, Vienna University of Technology, Gusshausstrasse 29/387, Vienna, Austria ² Institute of Solid-State Electronics and Center for Micro- and Nanostructures, Vienna University of Technology, Floragasse 7/362, Vienna, Austria

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 18 April 2011; in revised form: 18 May 2011 / Accepted: 31 May 2011 / Published: 3 June 2011

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)

Download PDF Full-Text [2974 KB, uploaded 3 June 2011 12:50 CEST]

Abstract: The terahertz (THz) spectral region, covering frequencies from 1 to 10 THz, is highly interesting for chemical sensing. The energy of rotational and vibrational transitions of molecules lies within this frequency range. Therefore, chemical fingerprints can be derived, allowing for a simple detection scheme. Here, we present an optical sensor based on active photonic crystals (PhCs), i.e., the pillars are fabricated directly from an active THz quantum-cascade laser medium. The individual pillars are pumped electrically leading to laser emission at cryogenic temperatures. There is no need to couple light into the resonant structure because the PhC itself is used as the light source. An injected gas changes the resonance condition of the PhC and thereby the laser emission frequency. We achieve an experimental frequency shift of 10⁻³ times the center lasing frequency. The minimum detectable refractive index change is 1.6 × 10⁻⁵ RIU.

Keywords: terahertz; optical microsensor; quantum-cascade laser; active resonator

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