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Characterizing Far-infrared Laser Emissions and the Measurement of Their Frequencies
Published on: December 18, 2015
Characterization of InAlAs/InGaAs/InP mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers
1State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PR China. ygzhang@itsvr.sim.ac.cn
Summary
A new characterization system enables detailed analysis of mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), revealing crucial thermal properties and lasing characteristics. This advanced setup aids in evaluating QCL performance and other mid-infrared diode lasers.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics and Laser Technology
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are crucial semiconductor devices emitting in the mid-infrared spectrum.
- Efficient characterization of QCLs, particularly their thermal properties, is essential for device optimization and application development.
- Existing characterization methods may lack the precision or range required for comprehensive analysis of advanced QCLs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel characterization system for mid-infrared lasers.
- To evaluate the thermal properties and spectral characteristics of gas source MBE grown InAlAs/InGaAs/InP quantum cascade lasers (QCLs).
- To demonstrate the system's utility for assessing various diode laser types in the mid-infrared band.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mid-infrared laser characterization system integrating a GPIB programmable I-P and I-V setup with wide pulse duration and duty cycle tuning.
- Adaptation of a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) system with a double modulation technique.
- Combined application of current-power (I-P), current-voltage (I-V), and spectral measurements under varied driving pulse conditions.
Main Results:
- The developed system successfully characterized mid-infrared QCLs, providing insights into their thermal resistance, lasing conditions, and spectral features.
- Analysis revealed the correlation between driving pulse parameters and key laser characteristics, including thermal behavior.
- The system demonstrated its capability to deduce critical parameters like thermal resistance and lasing thresholds.
Conclusions:
- The integrated characterization system offers a powerful tool for in-depth analysis of mid-infrared QCLs.
- The study successfully evaluated the thermal properties and spectral characteristics of InAlAs/InGaAs/InP QCLs.
- This versatile system is applicable to the evaluation of other mid-infrared diode lasers, facilitating broader research and development.
