Jen-Yu Fan

Quantum cascade lasers: high-power emission and single-mode operation in the long-wave infrared (λ>6 μm)

We present an overview of our recent results on the growth, fab- rication, and characterization of high-power long-wave infrared quantum cascade lasers with multimode and single-mode waveguides. Powers of up to 1.2 W at wavelengths of λ = 6.1 μm are obtained with InGaAs/InAlAs buried heterostructure lasers grown lattice matched on InP substrates. For longer wavelengths, up to λ = 9 μm, powers of P = 800 mW are delivered from room-temperature-operated devices. Distributed-feedback waveguides have been fabricated with buried grating geometry, leading to single-mode emission of more than P = 150 mW output at λ = 7.74 μm when the device is operated at room temperature in continuous mode.

Standoff photoacoustic detection of explosives using quantum cascade laser and an ultrasensitive microphone

Standoff detections of explosives using quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) and the photoacoustic (PA) technique were studied. In our experiment, a mid-infrared QCL with emission wavelength near 7.35 μm was used as a laser source. Direct standoff PA detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) was achieved using an ultrasensitive microphone. The QCL output light was focused on explosive samples in powder form. PA signals were generated and detected directly by an ultrasensitive low-noise microphone with 1 in. diameter. A detection distance up to 8 in. was obtained using the microphone alone. With increasing detection distance, the measured PA signal not only decayed in amplitude but also presented phase delays, which clearly verified the source location. To further increase the detection distance, a parabolic sound reflector was used for effective sound collection. With the help of the sound reflector, standoff PA detection of TNT with distance of 8 ft was demonstrated.

Long-Wave IR Quantum Cascade Lasers for emission in the λ = 8-12μm spectral region

In this article we review a selection of recent results on long-wave quantum cascade lasers both for high power and for single-mode emission. Both MBE-grown and MOCVD-grown devices are examined and compared. Currently, LWIR QC lasers exhibit output powers in the Watt-level range and up to double-digit conversion efficiencies in the best cases.

Quantum cascade lasers with voltage defect of less than one longitudinal optical phonon energy

Efficient use of applied voltage in quantum cascade (QC) lasers is a critical factor in achieving high wall-plug efficiency and low compliance voltage. We demonstrate a QC laser emitting at 4.2 μm featuring a low voltage defect and short injector with only four quantum wells. Devices with a voltage defect of 20 meV, well below the energy of the longitudinal optical phonons, and a voltage efficiency of 91%, a record value for QC lasers, are reported for pulsed operation at 180 K. Voltage efficiencies of greater than 80% are exhibited at room temperature. Overall performance showed wall-plug efficiencies ranging from 21% at cryogenic temperatures to 5.3% at room temperature.

Single-mode quantum cascade lasers based on a folded Fabry-Perot cavity

We demonstrate single-mode quantum cascade lasers employing a folded Fabry-Perot cavity consisting of two straight sections connected by a semicircular section in a “hairpin” shape. These folded cavity lasers emitting at ∼4.5 μm are fabricated with identical processes as those for plain Fabry-Perot ridge lasers, and show a strong suppression of the comb of Fabry-Perot cavity modes, leading to tunable single-mode emission with up to 27 dB side mode suppression ratio and a single-mode operating current range of up to 60% above the threshold current when operated in pulsed mode; single-mode emission is achieved from 80 to ∼240 K.

Thermoelectric Effect in Quantum Cascade Lasers

The choice of polarity of operation in a quantum cascade (QC) laser is made at the beginning of every QC laser design and growth, yet little work has been done to ascertain any performance benefits of one polarity versus the other. In this paper, we compare two QC lasers of the same design, differentiated only by the reversing of the growth order of the heterostructure layers in the laser core, which results in opposite polarities of operation. Analysis is performed through continuous wave (CW) and pulsed threshold current measurements to observe the change in active core temperature with input power. A thermoelectric effect is observed, where the direction of current flow improves thermal transport in negative polarity lasers (electron flow toward the heat sink) over positive polarity (electron flow away from the heat sink), leading to a maximum observed reduction in laser core heating of 10.0 ± 5.5 K for a thermal load of 7.2 kW/cm2 in CW operation.

Analysis of InP Regrowth on Deep-Etched Mesas and Structural Characterization for Buried-Heterostructure Quantum Cascade Lasers

We investigated the effect of deep-etched mesa sidewall profile and oxide overhang length on the regrowth structural characteristics for buried- heterostructure (BH) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The relationship between etched mesa sidewall geometry, oxide overhang length, oxide thickness, and growth uniformity was examined and is extensively discussed. In particular, anomalous growth in the vicinity of the oxide edge resulting from insufficient oxide overhang length was identified and studied. An ideal ratio of mesa height to oxide overhang length between 2.5 and 3.0 is proposed and experimentally justified to yield satisfactory planar regrowths without anomalous growth. Mesas in the

Single-mode quantum cascade lasers employing a candy-cane shaped monolithic coupled cavity

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