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Ultra-broadband single-stack mid-infrared semiconductor lasers grown by MOCVD
Peng Liu1,2, Lequan Zhang1,2, Yujin Wu3
1State Key Laboratory of Luminescence Science and Technology, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China.
Researchers developed ultra-broadband quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) using a novel diagonal multi-state-to-continuum active region design. This advancement significantly broadens the lasing spectrum, overcoming limitations for applications in spectroscopy and communications.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics and Photonics
- Quantum Electronics
- Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy
Background:
- Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are crucial for chemical, physical, and biological research.
- Mid-infrared frequency combs based on QCLs offer advantages like small footprint and high power.
- Current QCL frequency combs have limited bandwidths (~100 cm⁻¹), restricting applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate ultra-broadband QCLs with a significantly wider lasing spectrum.
- To overcome the bandwidth limitations of existing QCL frequency combs.
- To provide a novel platform for advanced mid-infrared applications.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a novel diagonal multi-state-to-continuum active region design.
- Fabrication and characterization of QCL devices.
- Measurement of electroluminescence and lasing spectrum bandwidths at various temperatures and current ranges.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ultra-wide electroluminescence with a full width at half maximum of ~600 cm⁻¹ at 298 K.
- Demonstrated lasing spectrum bandwidths of ~1.2 μm at room temperature and 1.93 μm at 80 K.
- Devices exhibited high peak output power (2.72 W) and slope efficiency (1.3 W/A).
Conclusions:
- The novel active region design enables substantial progress in single-stack ultra-broadband mid-infrared semiconductor lasers.
- This technology offers a promising platform for developing next-generation mid-infrared frequency combs.
- The ultra-broadband QCLs are vital for high-precision spectroscopy, imaging, and free-space communication.
