2006 APS March Meeting
Monday–Friday, March 13–17, 2006;
Baltimore, MD
Session K5: Microelectronics for Mid-Infrared through Terahertz
2:30 PM–5:30 PM,
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Baltimore Convention Center
Room: 309
Sponsoring
Unit:
FIAP
Chair: Mark Lee, Sandia National Laboratories
Abstract ID: BAPS.2006.MAR.K5.1
Abstract: K5.00001 : Multi-Wavelength and Nonlinear Quantum Cascade Lasers
2:30 PM–3:06 PM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
Claire Gmachl
(Princeton University)
Quantum Cascade (QC) lasers are a rapidly evolving mid-infrared technology
well suited for chemical sensing applications. For sensing of trace gas
mixtures, large molecules, or liquids, probing at a single wavelength is
often not sufficient, but the analyte must be sampled at various
wavelengths. Here, we will discuss various means of providing
multi-wavelength emission from QC lasers. Four different routes are
currently being investigated. First, the active waveguide core of a QC laser
can be subdivided into substacks of different active regions, hence allowing
for multi-wavelength emission. We will discuss the design optimization
procedures employed to develop a multi-wavelength laser module with several
wavelengths covering the 7 -- 13 $\mu $m wavelength range. Second, QC lasers
can be designed to emit different wavelength light when operated at
different (positive or negative) bias settings. We have recently developed
such a QC laser capable of emitting at $\sim $ 8 and $\sim $ 11 $\mu $m.
Third, nonlinear QC lasers that in addition to QC laser active regions also
include nonlinear mixing regions emit light not only at the fundamental
frequency, but also at nonlinear frequencies. Second harmonic generation
with up to 2 mW of nonlinear light has recently been demonstrated. Finally,
QC lasers with very broad gain spectra can in principle be used to tune over
significant wavelength ranges using an external cavity. A key component for
such tunability is a low reflectance laser facet to suppress laser action
based on feedback from the laser facets. We will show approaches to facet
reflection reduction through sub-wavelength facet patterning. This work is
supported through collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Labs /
Battelle by DARPA L-PAS, the DOE, and the NSF ECS-0400615. This work is
being conducted in collaboration with A. Dirisu, S.S. Howard, Z. Liu, O.
Malis, G. Shu, D.L. Sivco, and F. Toor.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.MAR.K5.1