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Enhanced performance of quantum cascade lasers through active region optimization and large optical cavity
Optics Express
|March 18, 2026
Summary
Optimized mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with large optical cavity (LOC) designs show significantly improved performance. These QCLs achieve higher output power and efficiency, enabling advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics and Photonics
- Semiconductor Devices
Background:
- Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are crucial for various applications.
- Enhancing QCL performance, including output power and efficiency, remains a key research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of optimized active region geometries and large optical cavity (LOC) structures on mid-infrared QCL performance.
- To achieve enhanced output power, reduced losses, and improved beam quality in QCL devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of QCLs using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
- Characterization of electro-optical, spectral, and far-field properties.
- Implementation of large optical cavity (LOC) architectures.
Main Results:
- LOC designs significantly reduced waveguide losses to ~1.9 cm⁻¹.
- Achieved narrow vertical far-field divergence (27.1°) and stable 5.3 µm emission.
- Obtained nearly four times higher output power (up to 3 W) and wall-plug efficiency >4%.
Conclusions:
- Combining active region optimization with LOC engineering enhances QCL performance and reliability.
- Optimized mid-infrared QCLs are suitable for high-power applications like gas sensing and spectroscopy.
- LOC structures improve optical confinement and beam collimation.
