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Title: External cavity quantum cascade lasers with ultra rapid acousto-optic tuning

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4917241· OSTI ID:22398838
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Pranalytica, Inc., 1101 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, California 90401 (United States)

We report operation of tunable external cavity quantum cascade lasers with emission wavelength controlled by an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). A long-wave infrared quantum cascade laser wavelength tuned from ∼8.5 μm to ∼9.8 μm when the AOM frequency was changed from ∼41MHz to ∼49 MHz. The laser delivered over 350 mW of average power at the center of the tuning curve in a linewidth of ∼4.7 cm{sup −1}. Measured wavelength switching time between any two wavelengths within the tuning range of the QCL was less than 1 μs. Spectral measurements of infrared absorption features of Freon demonstrated a capability of obtaining complete spectral data in less than 20 μs.

OSTI ID:
22398838
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 14; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English