Semiconductor Laser for the 2-5 Micrometers and 7-9 Micrometers Region/Quantum Cascade Lasers

Abstract

The quantum cascade laser is one of the strong candidates for a portable mid-infrared light source for a variety of DoD applications We have seen dramatic improvements in high temperature performance at long wavelengths, including threshold current densities as low as 1.4 kA/cm(2) and peak power outputs greater than 7 W for a single 20 mm aperture. Along with the significant design improvements, we have also demonstrated laser operation at 9 and 11 mm up to 425 K. Single mode operation has been accomplished with the use of surface distributed feedback gratings. An important parallel development to these performance improvements is the integration of discrete lasers into a compact, durable laser pointer system. A compact, battery-driven power supply has been designed and tested, as well as a simple, laboratory optical system for pointer evaluation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA406754

Entities

People

  • A. Evans
  • M. Razeghi
  • S. Slivken
  • Ziyu Huang

Organizations

  • Northwestern University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Current Density
  • Distributed Feedback Lasers
  • Electron Beam Lithography
  • Electronics Laboratories
  • Frequency Combs
  • High Temperature
  • Infrared Lasers
  • Laser Applications
  • Lasers
  • Light Sources
  • Peak Power
  • Power Supplies
  • Quantum Cascade Lasers
  • Quantum Wells
  • Semiconductor Lasers
  • Semiconductors

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Quantum Computing