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Beam combining of quantum cascade laser arrays
Benjamin G Lee1, Jan Kansky, Anish K Goyal
1Harvard University, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Optics Express
|September 3, 2009
Summary
Wavelength beam combining improved laser array performance by 21x. This advance enables distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser (DFB-QCL) arrays for effective remote sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Technology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Distributed-feedback quantum cascade lasers (DFB-QCLs) are crucial for mid-infrared applications.
- Scaling laser power often involves combining multiple laser elements.
- Improving the beam quality of combined laser arrays is essential for high-performance systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the beam quality of a 28-element DFB-QCL array.
- To demonstrate the utility of wavelength beam-combined DFB-QCL arrays in remote sensing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized wavelength beam combining to co-propagate beams from 28 DFB-QCL elements.
- Quantified the improvement in the beam-quality product of the laser array.
- Acquired the absorption spectrum of isopropanol using the combined laser array at a distance of 6 meters.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 21-fold improvement in the beam-quality product for the 28-element DFB-QCL array.
- Successfully demonstrated remote sensing capability by measuring isopropanol absorption spectrum.
- The combined array maintained high beam quality suitable for long-distance measurements.
Conclusions:
- Wavelength beam combining is a highly effective technique for enhancing the performance of DFB-QCL arrays.
- The developed DFB-QCL arrays show significant promise for practical remote sensing applications.
- This technology advances the development of powerful and high-quality laser sources for various scientific and industrial uses.
