Patent ID: 7480434
Filing Date: 2009-01-20
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for generating terahertz electromagnetic signals, comprising: a substrate having first, second and third surfaces, said second and said third surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said substrate; an insulating support adjacent said first surface of said substrate; a high index contrast waveguide adjacent said insulating support, said high index contrast waveguide having an input port for receiving a first input light beam having a first frequency and a second input light beam having a second frequency different from said first frequency, and an output port for providing an output light beam; a cladding adjacent said high index contrast waveguide, said cladding comprising a material that exhibits an enhanced nonlinear optical coefficient; and at least two electrically conductive strips, a first electrically conductive strip disposed on said second surface and a second electrically conductive strip disposed on said third surface of said substrate and configured to provide a dual-strip conductive terahertz waveguide; said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding configured so that, when said first input light beam is provided as a first laser beam having a first frequency, and said second input light beam is provided as a second laser beam having a second frequency, said output light beam appearing at said output port includes a signal at a terahertz frequency corresponding to a difference between said first frequency of said first input light beam and said second frequency of said second input light beam.