Advances in High-Power Quantum Cascade Lasers and Applications

Lyakh, Arkadiy, Pranalytica, Inc.,; Maulini, Richard, Pranalytica, Inc.,; Tsekoun, Alexei, Pranalytica, Inc.; Tadjikov, Boris, Pranalytica, Inc.; Patel, C. Kumar N., Pranalytica, Inc.

doi:10.1117/3.1002245.ch9

Book: The Wonder of Nanotechnology: Quantum Optoelectronic Devices and Applications

Editor(s): Leo Esaki; Klaus von Klitzing; Manijeh Razeghi

Author(s): Arkadiy Lyakh, Richard Maulini, Alexei Tsekoun, Boris Tadjikov, C. Kumar Patel

Published: 2013

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.1002245.ch9

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are important infrared light sources with numerous applications in defense and civilian fields. Low optical absorption in the atmospheric windows spanning from 3.5 to 4.8 μm and 8 to 12 μm has given rise to a number of applications. While QCL performance in the 5- to 7-μm spectral region has improved significantly, culminating in continuouswave (CW) room-temperature wallplug efficiency (WPE) exceeding 20% and optical power of 5 W at ~5 μm, progress in laser performance in the technologically important 3.5- to 4.8-μm and 8- to 12-μm spectral regions has significantly slowed down.