The realization of efficient, compact and easy to operate mid-IR (2–25 μm) diode lasers could enable the development of a new generation of low cost, light weight and compact remote chemical sensing systems for trace gas detection applications. Recently, we proposed and demonstrated an interband cascade laser based on InAs/Ga(In)Sb type-II quantum wells which operates in the 3–5 μm atmospheric transmission window and promises significant performance improvement. High power and high efficiency operation has already been achieved at wavelengths around ∼4 μm with the potential to be extended to much longer wavelengths. The threshold current density at 80 K was 290 A/cm2, which is substantially lower than those reported for the quantum cascade lasers, and the characteristic temperature was 81 K at operating temperatures up to 165 K. At 80 K, the maximum output power was ∼0.5 W/facet with a slop efficiency of 211 mW/A per facet, corresponding to a differential external quantum efficiency of 1.3 emitted photons per injected electron, which exceeds all previously published mid-IR laser results at this wavelength. However, cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy shows the crystalline and interface quality in these structures is far from ideal, suggesting that significant improvement in device performance can be expected with better materials.


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    Title :

    Mid-IR interband cascade lasers for remote chemical sensing applications


    Contributors:
    Zhang, D. (author) / Lin, C.-H. (author) / Yang, R. Q. (author) / Yang, B. H. (author) / Pei, S. S. (author) / Harper, J. (author) / Weimer, M. (author) / El-Genk, Mohamed S. (editor) / Bragg, Mary J. (editor)

    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 603-608


    Publication date :

    1998-01-15


    Size :

    6 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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