Quantum-cascade lasers enable infrared sensors

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2003 · Laser Focus World

OSTI ID:15004348

Schultz, John F ^[1]

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1. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)

Quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) are semiconductor-injection lasers based on intersubband transitions in a multiple-quantum-well heterostructure. They are designed using band-structure engineering and grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The emission wavelength of a QCL is primarily a function of quantum-well thickness--thinner quantum wells lead to shorter wavelengths--and is essentially independent of the material bandgap. Quantum-cascade lasers can be designed to operate at any wavelength from 3.5 m (infrared) to 67 m (terahertz region) and are continuously tunable through ranges of a few inverse centimeters.1, 2, 3 This capability makes them well suited for spectroscopy in the infrared (see Laser Focus World, August 1999, p. 40).

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 15004348
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-39095; NN2001000
• Journal Information: Laser Focus World, Journal Name: Laser Focus World Journal Issue: 39 Vol. 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
LASERS
MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY
SPECTROSCOPY
WAVELENGTHS