Time-resolved spectral characterization of ring cavity surface emitting and ridge-type distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers by step-scan FT-IR spectroscopy

Markus Brandstetter; Andreas Genner; Clemens Schwarzer; Elvis Mujagic; Gottfried Strasser; Bernhard Lendl

doi:10.1364/OE.22.002656

Time-resolved spectral characterization of ring cavity surface emitting and ridge-type distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers by step-scan FT-IR spectroscopy

Markus Brandstetter, Andreas Genner, Clemens Schwarzer, Elvis Mujagic, Gottfried Strasser, and Bernhard Lendl

Optics Express
Vol. 22,
Issue 3,
pp. 2656-2664
(2014)
•https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.22.002656

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Markus Brandstetter, Andreas Genner, Clemens Schwarzer, Elvis Mujagic, Gottfried Strasser, and Bernhard Lendl, "Time-resolved spectral characterization of ring cavity surface emitting and ridge-type distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers by step-scan FT-IR spectroscopy," Opt. Express 22, 2656-2664 (2014)

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Abstract

We present the time-resolved comparison of pulsed 2nd order ring cavity surface emitting (RCSE) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) and pulsed 1st order ridge-type distributed feedback (DFB) QCLs using a step-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer. Laser devices were part of QCL arrays and fabricated from the same laser material. Required grating periods were adjusted to account for the grating order. The step-scan technique provided a spectral resolution of 0.1 cm⁻¹ and a time resolution of 2 ns. As a result, it was possible to gain information about the tuning behavior and potential mode-hops of the investigated lasers. Different cavity-lengths were compared, including 0.9 mm and 3.2 mm long ridge-type and 0.97 mm (circumference) ring-type cavities. RCSE QCLs were found to have improved emission properties in terms of line-stability, tuning rate and maximum emission time compared to ridge-type lasers.

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J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
G. P. Luo, C. Peng, H. Q. Le, S. S. Pei, W.-Y. Hwang, B. Ishaug, J. Um, J. N. Baillargeon, and C.-H. Lin, “Grating-tuned external-cavity quantum-cascade semiconductor lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 78(19), 2834–2836 (2001).
[Crossref]
J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]
G. Hancock, “Applications of midinfrared quantum cascade lasers to spectroscopy,” Opt. Eng. 49(11), 111121 (2010).
[Crossref]
R. F. Curl, F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, A. Kosterev, B. McManus, R. Lewicki, M. Pusharsky, G. Wysocki, and F. K. Tittel, “Quantum cascade lasers in chemical physics,” Chem. Phys. Lett. 487(1–3), 1–18 (2010).
[Crossref]
J. B. McManus, M. S. Zahniser, D. D. Nelson, J. H. Shorter, S. Herndon, E. Wood, and R. Wehr, “Application of quantum cascade lasers to high-precision atmospheric trace gas measurements,” Opt. Eng. 49(11), 111124 (2010).
[Crossref]
K. Namjou, S. Cai, E. A. Whittaker, J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, and A. Y. Cho, “Sensitive absorption spectroscopy with a room-temperature distributed-feedback quantum-cascade laser,” Opt. Lett. 23(3), 219–221 (1998).
[Crossref] [PubMed]
M. T. McCulloch, E. L. Normand, N. Langford, G. Duxbury, and D. A. Newnham, “Highly sensitive detection of trace gases using the time-resolved frequency downchirp from pulsed quantum-cascade lasers,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 20(8), 1761–1768 (2003).
[Crossref]
C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]
T. J. Johnson, A. Simon, J. M. Weil, and G. W. Harris, “Applications of time-resolved step-scan and rapid-scan FT-IR spectroscopy : dynamics from ten seconds to ten nanoseconds,” Appl. Spectrosc. 47(9), 1376–1381 (1993).
[Crossref]
W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]
J.-M. Melkonian, J. Petit, M. Raybaut, A. Godard, and M. Lefebvre, “Time-resolved spectral characterization of a pulsed external-cavity quantum cascade laser,” in Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics 2012 (OSA, 2012), paper CF2K.4.
B. Hinkov, Q. Yang, F. Fuchs, W. Bronner, K. Köhler, and J. Wagner, “Time-resolved characterization of external-cavity quantum-cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 94(22), 221105 (2009).
[Crossref]
M. Brandstetter and B. Lendl, “Tunable mid-infrared lasers in physical chemosensors towards the detection of physiologically relevant parameters in biofluids,” Sens. Actuators B Chem. 170, 189–195 (2012).
[Crossref]
Z. Liu, D. Wasserman, S. S. Howard, A. J. Hoffman, C. Gmachl, X. Wang, T. Tanbun-Ek, L. Cheng, and F. S. Choa, “Room-temperature continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers grown by MOCVD without lateral regrowth,” IEEE Photonics Technol. Lett. 18(12), 1347–1349 (2006).
[Crossref]
E. Mujagić, S. Schartner, L. K. Hoffmann, W. Schrenk, M. P. Semtsiv, M. Wienold, W. T. Masselink, and G. Strasser, “Grating-coupled surface emitting quantum cascade ring lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 93(1), 011108 (2008).
[Crossref]
E. Mujagić, M. Nobile, H. Detz, W. Schrenk, J. Chen, C. Gmachl, and G. Strasser, “Ring cavity induced threshold reduction in single-mode surface emitting quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 96(3), 031111 (2010).
[Crossref]
H. Kogelnik and C. V. Shank, “Coupled-wave theory of distributed feedback lasers,” J. Appl. Phys. 43(5), 2327 (1972).
[Crossref]
N. Finger and E. Gornik, “Analysis of metallized-grating coupled twin-waveguide structures,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(5), 832–843 (1999).
[Crossref]
J. Buus, “Mode selectivity in DFB lasers with cleaved facets,” Electron. Lett. 21(5), 179–180 (1985).
[Crossref]
H. K. Lee and J. S. Yu, “Thermal effects in quantum cascade lasers at λ~4.6 μm under pulsed and continuous-wave modes,” Appl. Phys. B 106(3), 619–627 (2011).
[Crossref]
E. Mujagić, C. Schwarzer, Y. Yao, J. Chen, C. Gmachl, and G. Strasser, “Two-dimensional broadband distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser arrays,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 98(14), 141101 (2011).
[Crossref]

2012 (1)

M. Brandstetter and B. Lendl, “Tunable mid-infrared lasers in physical chemosensors towards the detection of physiologically relevant parameters in biofluids,” Sens. Actuators B Chem. 170, 189–195 (2012).
[Crossref]

2011 (2)

H. K. Lee and J. S. Yu, “Thermal effects in quantum cascade lasers at λ~4.6 μm under pulsed and continuous-wave modes,” Appl. Phys. B 106(3), 619–627 (2011).
[Crossref]

E. Mujagić, C. Schwarzer, Y. Yao, J. Chen, C. Gmachl, and G. Strasser, “Two-dimensional broadband distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser arrays,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 98(14), 141101 (2011).
[Crossref]

2010 (4)

E. Mujagić, M. Nobile, H. Detz, W. Schrenk, J. Chen, C. Gmachl, and G. Strasser, “Ring cavity induced threshold reduction in single-mode surface emitting quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 96(3), 031111 (2010).
[Crossref]

G. Hancock, “Applications of midinfrared quantum cascade lasers to spectroscopy,” Opt. Eng. 49(11), 111121 (2010).
[Crossref]

R. F. Curl, F. Capasso, C. Gmachl, A. Kosterev, B. McManus, R. Lewicki, M. Pusharsky, G. Wysocki, and F. K. Tittel, “Quantum cascade lasers in chemical physics,” Chem. Phys. Lett. 487(1–3), 1–18 (2010).
[Crossref]

J. B. McManus, M. S. Zahniser, D. D. Nelson, J. H. Shorter, S. Herndon, E. Wood, and R. Wehr, “Application of quantum cascade lasers to high-precision atmospheric trace gas measurements,” Opt. Eng. 49(11), 111124 (2010).
[Crossref]

2009 (1)

B. Hinkov, Q. Yang, F. Fuchs, W. Bronner, K. Köhler, and J. Wagner, “Time-resolved characterization of external-cavity quantum-cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 94(22), 221105 (2009).
[Crossref]

2008 (1)

E. Mujagić, S. Schartner, L. K. Hoffmann, W. Schrenk, M. P. Semtsiv, M. Wienold, W. T. Masselink, and G. Strasser, “Grating-coupled surface emitting quantum cascade ring lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 93(1), 011108 (2008).
[Crossref]

2006 (1)

Z. Liu, D. Wasserman, S. S. Howard, A. J. Hoffman, C. Gmachl, X. Wang, T. Tanbun-Ek, L. Cheng, and F. S. Choa, “Room-temperature continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers grown by MOCVD without lateral regrowth,” IEEE Photonics Technol. Lett. 18(12), 1347–1349 (2006).
[Crossref]

2004 (1)

C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]

2003 (1)

M. T. McCulloch, E. L. Normand, N. Langford, G. Duxbury, and D. A. Newnham, “Highly sensitive detection of trace gases using the time-resolved frequency downchirp from pulsed quantum-cascade lasers,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 20(8), 1761–1768 (2003).
[Crossref]

2001 (1)

G. P. Luo, C. Peng, H. Q. Le, S. S. Pei, W.-Y. Hwang, B. Ishaug, J. Um, J. N. Baillargeon, and C.-H. Lin, “Grating-tuned external-cavity quantum-cascade semiconductor lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 78(19), 2834–2836 (2001).
[Crossref]

1999 (1)

N. Finger and E. Gornik, “Analysis of metallized-grating coupled twin-waveguide structures,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(5), 832–843 (1999).
[Crossref]

1998 (1)

K. Namjou, S. Cai, E. A. Whittaker, J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, and A. Y. Cho, “Sensitive absorption spectroscopy with a room-temperature distributed-feedback quantum-cascade laser,” Opt. Lett. 23(3), 219–221 (1998).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

1997 (1)

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

1994 (1)

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

1993 (1)

T. J. Johnson, A. Simon, J. M. Weil, and G. W. Harris, “Applications of time-resolved step-scan and rapid-scan FT-IR spectroscopy : dynamics from ten seconds to ten nanoseconds,” Appl. Spectrosc. 47(9), 1376–1381 (1993).
[Crossref]

1991 (1)

W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]

1985 (1)

J. Buus, “Mode selectivity in DFB lasers with cleaved facets,” Electron. Lett. 21(5), 179–180 (1985).
[Crossref]

1972 (1)

H. Kogelnik and C. V. Shank, “Coupled-wave theory of distributed feedback lasers,” J. Appl. Phys. 43(5), 2327 (1972).
[Crossref]

Anders, S.

C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]

Baillargeon, J. N.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

Becker, A.

W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]

Brandstetter, M.

Bronner, W.

Buus, J.

J. Buus, “Mode selectivity in DFB lasers with cleaved facets,” Electron. Lett. 21(5), 179–180 (1985).
[Crossref]

Cai, S.

Capasso, F.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Chen, J.

Cheng, L.

Cho, A. Y.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Choa, F. S.

Curl, R. F.

Detz, H.

Duxbury, G.

Faist, J.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Finger, N.

N. Finger and E. Gornik, “Analysis of metallized-grating coupled twin-waveguide structures,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(5), 832–843 (1999).
[Crossref]

Fuchs, F.

Gmachl, C.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

Gornik, E.

N. Finger and E. Gornik, “Analysis of metallized-grating coupled twin-waveguide structures,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(5), 832–843 (1999).
[Crossref]

Hancock, G.

G. Hancock, “Applications of midinfrared quantum cascade lasers to spectroscopy,” Opt. Eng. 49(11), 111121 (2010).
[Crossref]

Harris, G. W.

Herndon, S.

Hinkov, B.

Hoffman, A. J.

Hoffmann, L. K.

Howard, S. S.

Hutchinson, A. L.

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Hwang, W.-Y.

Ishaug, B.

Johnson, T. J.

Kogelnik, H.

H. Kogelnik and C. V. Shank, “Coupled-wave theory of distributed feedback lasers,” J. Appl. Phys. 43(5), 2327 (1972).
[Crossref]

Köhler, K.

Kosterev, A.

Langford, N.

Le, H. Q.

Lee, H. K.

H. K. Lee and J. S. Yu, “Thermal effects in quantum cascade lasers at λ~4.6 μm under pulsed and continuous-wave modes,” Appl. Phys. B 106(3), 619–627 (2011).
[Crossref]

Lendl, B.

Lewicki, R.

Lin, C.-H.

Liu, Z.

Luo, G. P.

Masselink, W. T.

McCulloch, M. T.

McManus, B.

McManus, J. B.

Mujagic, E.

Namjou, K.

Nelson, D. D.

Newnham, D. A.

Nobile, M.

Normand, E. L.

Pei, S. S.

Peng, C.

Pflügl, C.

C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]

Pusharsky, M.

Schartner, S.

Schrenk, W.

C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]

Schwarzer, C.

Semtsiv, M. P.

Shank, C. V.

H. Kogelnik and C. V. Shank, “Coupled-wave theory of distributed feedback lasers,” J. Appl. Phys. 43(5), 2327 (1972).
[Crossref]

Shorter, J. H.

Siebert, F.

W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]

Simon, A.

Sirtori, C.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Sivco, D. L.

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Strasser, G.

C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]

Tanbun-Ek, T.

Taran, C.

W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]

Tittel, F. K.

Uhmann, W.

W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]

Um, J.

Wagner, J.

Wang, X.

Wasserman, D.

Wehr, R.

Weil, J. M.

Whittaker, E. A.

Wienold, M.

Wood, E.

Wysocki, G.

Yang, Q.

Yao, Y.

Yu, J. S.

H. K. Lee and J. S. Yu, “Thermal effects in quantum cascade lasers at λ~4.6 μm under pulsed and continuous-wave modes,” Appl. Phys. B 106(3), 619–627 (2011).
[Crossref]

Zahniser, M. S.

Appl. Phys. B (1)

H. K. Lee and J. S. Yu, “Thermal effects in quantum cascade lasers at λ~4.6 μm under pulsed and continuous-wave modes,” Appl. Phys. B 106(3), 619–627 (2011).
[Crossref]

Appl. Phys. Lett. (6)

J. Faist, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, C. Sirtori, D. L. Sivco, J. N. Baillargeon, and A. Y. Cho, “Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(20), 2670–2672 (1997).
[Crossref]

Appl. Spectrosc. (2)

W. Uhmann, A. Becker, C. Taran, and F. Siebert, “Time-resolved FT-IR absorption spectroscopy using a step-scan interferometer,” Appl. Spectrosc. 45(3), 390–397 (1991).
[Crossref]

Chem. Phys. Lett. (1)

Electron. Lett. (1)

J. Buus, “Mode selectivity in DFB lasers with cleaved facets,” Electron. Lett. 21(5), 179–180 (1985).
[Crossref]

IEEE J. Quantum Electron. (1)

N. Finger and E. Gornik, “Analysis of metallized-grating coupled twin-waveguide structures,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(5), 832–843 (1999).
[Crossref]

IEEE Photonics Technol. Lett. (1)

J. Appl. Phys. (1)

H. Kogelnik and C. V. Shank, “Coupled-wave theory of distributed feedback lasers,” J. Appl. Phys. 43(5), 2327 (1972).
[Crossref]

J. Opt. Soc. Am. B (1)

Opt. Eng. (2)

G. Hancock, “Applications of midinfrared quantum cascade lasers to spectroscopy,” Opt. Eng. 49(11), 111121 (2010).
[Crossref]

Opt. Lett. (1)

Science (1)

J. Faist, F. Capasso, D. L. Sivco, C. Sirtori, A. L. Hutchinson, and A. Y. Cho, “Quantum cascade laser,” Science 264(5158), 553–556 (1994).
[Crossref] [PubMed]

Semicond. Sci. Technol. (1)

C. Pflügl, W. Schrenk, S. Anders, and G. Strasser, “Spectral dynamics of distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers,” Semicond. Sci. Technol. 19(4), S336–S338 (2004).
[Crossref]

Sens. Actuators B Chem. (1)

Other (1)

J.-M. Melkonian, J. Petit, M. Raybaut, A. Godard, and M. Lefebvre, “Time-resolved spectral characterization of a pulsed external-cavity quantum cascade laser,” in Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics 2012 (OSA, 2012), paper CF2K.4.

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Fig. 1

Conventional non-time-resolved FT-IR measurement (white, solid line) of a short (0.9 mm) ridge-type QCL with an overlay of the corresponding step-scan measurement as contour plot. In addition to spectral and intensity domain data, time-resolved information is now provided. The laser repetition rate was 50 kHz and the driving current was 750 mA (8.33 kA/cm²). Left axis shows time-domain data (pulses triggered at t = 200 ns) and right axis as well as color scale show normalized intensity data.

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Fig. 2

Emission characteristics under different operation conditions (laser current densities J) for short DFB-QCLs (top), long DFB-QCLs (middle) and RCSE-QCLs (top). The laser repetition rate was 10 kHz and the pulse duration adjusted on the laser driver was 2 µs (pulses triggered at t = 250 ns). Δ-values represent the achieved spectral coverage for each device.

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Fig. 3

Experimentally determined tuning rates of the employed laser material as a function of applied laser current densities (black squares, data obtained from a RCSE device). A polynomial fit of tuning rates and the corresponding coefficient of determination (R²) is included for illustration. Tuning rates for different device geometries and current densities as extracted from data shown in Fig. 2 are indicated in the graph (colored circles).

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Fig. 4

(left) Results of time-resolved step-scan measurements of a selected RCSE-QCL at ten different laser currents (pulses triggered at t = 250 ns); (right) For clarity, spectral tuning curves were extracted with a peak search function and fitted with functions of the form $A (I) \cdot e^{- \frac{t}{B (I)}} - c$ . At injection currents between 400 mA and 700 mA, the lasing time is basically limited by the pulse length that is 2 µs. At the other currents, the device stops lasing because the increasing losses exceed the heat-induced decreasing gain.

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Fig. 5

Emission of three selected RCSE-QCLs that were part of an array of RCSE-QCLs (see inset) leading to a cumulative emission range of 22.5 cm⁻¹ (pulses triggered at t = 500 ns).

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Tables (1)

Table 1 Investigated QCL configurations of the same laser material. The waveguide width was the same for all devices (10 µm).

View Table

Laser configuration	Physical cavity length	Relevant cross section	Emission property
Short DFB ridge	0.9 mm	0.009 mm²	Facet emitter
Long DFB ridge	3.2 mm	0.032 mm²	Facet emitter
Ring-cavity surface emitting (RCSE)	0.97 mm	0.0097 mm²	Surface emitter