External cavity quantum cascade laser emitting from 12.3 to 13.2 $$\upmu$$ μ m

Abstract

We describe a long-wavelength external ccavity quantum cascade laser, emitting from 12.3 to $$13.2\ \upmu \text {m}$$ integrated into a compact design to promote portability. For this purpose, a new type of anti-reflection coating was designed as well as a new way of measuring its performance. Finally, a portion of the absorption spectrum of ammonia vapor was recorded by tuning the laser, which demonstrates the spectroscopic capacity of this EC-QCL.