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Related Experiment Videos

Low-threshold quantum-cascade lasers at 3.5 THz (lambda = 85 microm).

Rüdeger Köhler1, Alessandro Tredicucci, Fabio Beltram

  • 1National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology-Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy. r.koehler@sns.it

Optics Letters
|June 5, 2003
PubMed
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Researchers developed chirped-superlattice quantum-cascade lasers emitting at 85 micrometers (3.6 THz), the longest wavelength for this technology. These lasers show record low-threshold current densities and operate up to 45 K.

Area of Science:

  • Quantum optics
  • Semiconductor device physics
  • Terahertz (THz) technology

Background:

  • Quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) are semiconductor devices emitting light via electron transitions between quantized states.
  • Superlattice active regions and chirped designs have been explored to extend QCL emission wavelengths.
  • Achieving longer wavelengths (lower frequencies) in QCLs presents significant design and performance challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate chirped-superlattice quantum-cascade lasers operating at terahertz frequencies.
  • To achieve the longest emission wavelength reported for quantum-cascade laser technology.
  • To characterize the performance, including threshold current density and output power, at cryogenic temperatures.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of quantum-cascade lasers utilizing a chirped superlattice active region design.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Characterization of electroluminescence and laser emission spectra.
  • Measurement of optical output power and threshold current density under pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) operation.
  • Temperature-dependent measurements from liquid-helium temperature up to the maximum operating temperature.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstration of laser emission at a wavelength of approximately 85 micrometers (3.6 THz).
    • Achieved peak output power of 1.5 mW per facet at liquid-helium temperature.
    • Recorded record low-threshold current densities of 95 A cm(-2) (pulsed) and 115 A cm(-2) (CW).
    • Observed a maximum operating temperature of 45 K.

    Conclusions:

    • Chirped-superlattice active regions enable significantly longer wavelength emission in quantum-cascade lasers.
    • The demonstrated 85-micrometer emission represents a new record for this technology.
    • The devices exhibit competitive threshold performance, paving the way for future THz QCL development.