Periodic and chaotic oscillations in mutual-coupled mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

Dynamic states in mutual-coupled mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) were numerically investigated in the parameter space of injection strength and detuning frequency based on the Lang—Kobayashi equations model. Three types of period-one states were found, with different periods of injection time delay τ_inj, 2τ_inj, and reciprocal of the detuning frequency. Besides, square-wave, quasi-period, pulse-burst and chaotic oscillations were also observed. It is concluded that external-cavity periodic dynamics and optical modes beating are the mainly periodic dynamics. The interaction of the two periodic dynamics and the high-frequency dynamics stimulated by strong injection induces the dynamic states evolution. This work helps to understand the dynamic behaviors in QCLs and shows a new way to mid-infrared wide-band chaotic laser.     

单模带间级联激光器（特邀）

基于锑化物的带间级联激光器同时具有带间跃迁的高增益和级联结构的高量子效率,是中红外波段重要的相干光源,其功耗低于其它中红外半导体激光器,因而单模带间级联激光器在基于激光吸收光谱技术的高分辨气体检测和化学传感等领域具有很大的优势。目前利用Bragg光栅实现波长选择的单模分布反馈带间级联激光器已经实现商品化,但是,与同样有源区结构的Fabry-Pérot腔带间级联激光器最高600 mW的出光功率相比,单模功率最高55 mW,损耗较大。对几种不同结构的分布反馈带间级联激光器的性能进行对比分析,探讨这类单模中红外激光器损耗的主要来源以及改进思路。此外,介绍了垂直腔面发射和光子晶体带间级联激光器的进展,并与分布反馈带间级联激光器的性能进行比较,讨论其优缺点及适用的场景。     

Broad gain,continuous-wave operation of InP-based quantum cascade laser at λ~11.8 μm

We demonstrate a broad gain, continuous-wave (CW) operation InP-based quantum cascade laser (QCL) emitting at 11.8 μm with a modified dual-upper-state (DAU) and diagonal transition active region design. A 3 mm cavity length, 16.5 μm average ridge wide QCL with high-reflection (HR) coatings demonstrates a maximum peak power of 1.07 W at 283 K and CW output power of 60 mW at 293 K. The device also shows a broad and dual-frequency lasing spectrum in pulsed mode and a maximum average power of 258.6 mW at 283 K. Moreover, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the electroluminescent spectrum measured at subthreshold current is 2.37 μm, which indicates a broad gain spectrum of the materials. The tuning range of 1.38 μm is obtained by a grating-coupled external cavity (EC) Littrow configuration, which is beneficial for gas detection.     

Beam steering characteristics in high-power quantum-cascade lasers emitting at∼4.6µm

A beam steering effect of high-power quantum cascade(QC) lasers emitting at 4.6 μm was investigated. The continuous wave(CW) output power of an uncoated, 6-mm-long, 7.5-μm-wide buried-heterostructure QC laser at 25℃ was as high as 854.2 m W. The maximum beam steering angle was offset by ±14.2° from the facet normal(0°) in pulsed mode. The phenomenon was judged explicitly by combining the diffraction limit theory and Fourier transform of the spectra. It was also verified by finite element method software simulation and the calculation of two-dimensional(2 D)effective-index model. The observed steering is consistent with a theory for coherence between the two lowest order lateral modes. Therefore, we have established an intrinsic linkage between the spectral instabilities and the beam steering by using the Fourier transform of the spectra, and further presented an extremely valid method to judge the beam steering. The content of this method includes both three equidistant peak positions in the Fourier transform of the spectra and the beam quality located between once the diffraction limit(DL) and twice the DL.     

带间级联激光器电子注入区优化研究(特邀)

带间级联激光器有源区内部的物理机制复杂,尚未得到充分研究.优化了电子注入区结构,通过减小InAs/AlSb啁啾超晶格中InAs量子阱的厚度促进电子向光增益区的注入,在较低的电子注入区掺杂浓度下满足了光增益区电子数和空穴数基本相等的注入平衡条件,降低了有源区中自由载流子吸收和杂质散射造成的光损耗.采用该有源区结构的带间级...     

High power-efficiency terahertz quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate continuous-wave(CW) high power-efficiency terahertz quantum cascade laser based on semiinsulating surface-plasmon waveguide with epitaxial-side down(Epi-down) mounting process.The performance of the device is analyzed in detail.The laser emits at a frequency of ~3.27 THz and has a maximum CW operating temperature of ~ 70 K.The peak output powers are 177 mW in pulsed mode and 149 mW in CW mode at 10 K for 130-μm-wide Epi-down mounted lasers.The record wall-plug efficiencies in direct measurement are 2.26% and 2.05% in pulsed and CW mode,respectively.     

Room temperature continuous-wave operation of a dual-wavelength quantum cascade laser

We report on the design and fabrication of a dual-wavelength switchable quantum cascade laser(QCL) by optimizing the design of a homogeneous active region and combining superposed distributed feedback gratings. Coaxial, single-mode emissions at two different wavelengths were achieved only through adjusting the bias voltage. Room temperature continuous-wave operation with output powers of above 30 mW and 75 mW was realized for single-mode emission at 7.61 μm and 7.06 μm, respectively. The simplif...     

带间级联激光器电子注入区优化研究(特邀)EI北大核心CSCD

带间级联激光器有源区内部的物理机制复杂,尚未得到充分研究。优化了电子注入区结构,通过减小InAs/AlSb啁啾超晶格中InAs量子阱的厚度促进电子向光增益区的注入,在较低的电子注入区掺杂浓度下满足了光增益区电子数和空穴数基本相等的注入平衡条件,降低了有源区中自由载流子吸收和杂质散射造成的光损耗。采用该有源区结构的带间级联激光器实现了较好的室温激射性能,腔长4 mm、脊宽20μm且腔面未镀膜器件的阈值电流为200 mA,单腔面出光功率为55 mW。通过分析2~5 mm不同腔长器件的电压-电流-光功率性能,得到器件的波导损耗仅为3 cm^(-1),有源区载流子寿命为0.7 ns。     

Flat Top Optical Frequency Combs Based on a Single-Core Quantum Cascade Laser at Wavelength of ～8.7 μm

We present optical frequency combs with a spectral emission of 48 cm^-1and an output power of 420 m W based on a single-core quantum cascade laser at λ ～ 8.7μm. A flat top spectrum sustains up to 130 comb modes delivering ～ 3.2 m W of optical power per mode, making it a valuable tool for dual comb spectroscopy. The homogeneous gain medium, relying on a slightly diagonal bound-to-continuum structure, promises to provide a broad and stable gain for comb operating. Remarkably, the dispers...