Continuous wave operation of quantum cascade lasers

Abstract

Continuous wave (CW) operation of quantum cascade lasers is reported up to temperatures of 312 K. The devices were fabricated as buried heterostructure lasers and episide-down mounted for improved heat dissipation. Fabry–Perot lasers emitted 17 mW of continuous optical power at 292 K and still 3 mW at 311 K at λ=9.12 μm. Distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers showed CW single-mode operation up to 260 K at λ=9.0 μm with a side mode suppression rate better than 30 dB.