Dresden 2003 – scientific programme

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HL: Halbleiterphysik

HL 23: Symposium Quantenkaskadenlaser

HL 23.3: Talk

Tuesday, March 25, 2003, 16:15–16:45, POT/81

Quantum Cascade Lasers for the mid-infrared spectral range — •F. Fuchs, C. Mann, Q. Yang, K. Köhler, H. Schneider, R. Kiefer, and W. Bronner — Fraunhofer IAF, Tullastr. 72, 79108 Freiburg, Germany

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) are in progress to establish a new class of coherent light sources covering the entire mid-infrared spectral range. They are of interest for spectroscopic applications as well as for free space communication systems. In contrast to conventional diode lasers QCL are unipolar devices. The dependence of the laser performance on temperature does not depend on non-radiative interband relaxation processes, like Auger recombination. Depending on the band offsets offered by the material system in use, QCL can be designed such that room-temperature operation at least in pulsed mode becomes possible. There are also first reports on cw operation. At the IAF QCL based on InGaAs/AlInAs heterostructures grown by MBE on InP substrates are fabricated. The deposition of the upper InP cladding layer is performed using MOCVD. Starting from published laser structures we varied the design and studied the effect on the laser performance. The processing of DFB lasers using electron beam lithography is in progress.