Design issues and physics for power scaling of quantum-cascade lasers

W. T. Masselink; M. P. Semtsiv; Y. V. Flores; A. Aleksandrova; J. Kischkat

doi:10.1117/12.2241431

21 October 2016 Design issues and physics for power scaling of quantum-cascade lasers

W. T. Masselink, M. P. Semtsiv, Y. V. Flores, A. Aleksandrova, J. Kischkat

Proceedings Volume 9989, Technologies for Optical Countermeasures XIII; 99890B (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2241431
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The quantum-cascade laser (QCL) emitting in the mid-infrared region of 4 to 8 m has been refined to the point that its internal quantum efficiency is approaching fundamental limits. QCLs designed for power typically contain 30-40 cascades, are less than two wavelengths in width, and laser ridge lengths are typically between 3 and 6 mm. Even with state-of-the-art efficiency and thermal management, room temperature operation of such lasers is fundamentally limited to several watts. This paper describes a path to power scaling that is not fundamentally limited. Power requires volume and thermal conductance. We propose that this combination is best achieved using fewer than 15 cascades combined with broad areas. We demonstrate the first room temperature continuous-wave emission of broad-area QCLs and discuss how this scaling concept can deliver MIR emission of 10's of watts at room temperature with beam quality required for high brilliance.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

W. T. Masselink, M. P. Semtsiv, Y. V. Flores, A. Aleksandrova, and J. Kischkat "Design issues and physics for power scaling of quantum-cascade lasers", Proc. SPIE 9989, Technologies for Optical Countermeasures XIII, 99890B (21 October 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2241431

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