Monolithic integration of a quantum cascade laser array and an echelle grating multiplexer for widely tunable mid-infrared sources

Clément Gilles; Luis J. Orbe; Guillermo Carpintero; Johan Abautret; Grégory Maisons; Mathieu Carras

doi:10.1117/12.2211644

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10 March 2016 Monolithic integration of a quantum cascade laser array and an echelle grating multiplexer for widely tunable mid-infrared sources

Clément Gilles, Luis J. Orbe, Guillermo Carpintero, Johan Abautret, Grégory Maisons, Mathieu Carras

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Proceedings Volume 9767, Novel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers XV; 97671R (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2211644
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

In the mid-infrared (Mid-IR), arrays of distributed feedback Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) have been developed as a serious alternative to obtain extended wavelength operation range of laser-based gas sensing systems. Narrow-linewidth, single mode operation and wide tunability are then gathered together on a single chip with high compactness and intrinsic stability. In order to benefit from this extended wavelength range in a single output beam we have developed a platform for InP-based photonics. After the validation of all required building blocks such as straight waveguides, adiabatic couplers between active and passive waveguides, and echelle grating multiplexers, we are tackling the integration into a single monolithic device. We present the design, fabrication and performances of a tunable source, fully monolithic based on the echelle grating approach. Advantages are design flexibility, relatively simple processing and the need for one single epitaxial growth for the entire structure. The evanescent coupler has been designed to transfer all light adiabatically from the active region to a low loss passive waveguide, while taking advantage of the high gain available in the quantum wells. The multiplexer is based on an etched diffraction grating, covering the whole range of the 30 lasers of the array while keeping a very compact size. These results show the first realization of a monolithic widely tunable source in the Mid-IR and would therefore benefit to the development of fully integrated spectroscopic sensor systems.

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Clément Gilles, Luis J. Orbe, Guillermo Carpintero, Johan Abautret, Grégory Maisons, and Mathieu Carras "Monolithic integration of a quantum cascade laser array and an echelle grating multiplexer for widely tunable mid-infrared sources", Proc. SPIE 9767, Novel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers XV, 97671R (10 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2211644

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