Bridging the terahertz gap

Researchers are exploring the possibility of using an infrared frequency comb to generate elusive terahertz frequencies. These frequencies — which lie in the electromagnetic spectrum between radio waves and infrared light — have long promised to transform communications and sensing but are very challenging to source. By harnessing a recently discovered laser state, researchers have discovered an infrared frequency comb in a quantum cascade laser that offers a new way to generate terahertz frequencies.