High-power and broadly tunable GaSb-based optically pumped VECSELs emitting near 2 μm

Abstract

We demonstrate GaSb-based vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) emitting multi-Watt output power and exhibiting a broad tuning range. A VECSEL gain structure comprising 15 In 0.2Ga 0.8Sb quantum wells grown on (1 0 0) n-doped GaSb substrate emitted a continuous-wave output power of over 4 W at 1970 nm wavelength operating near room temperature. Lasing was detected even at 50 °C. Optimized for high-power operation, the structure exhibited a tuning range of 75 nm. Using a modified VECSEL gain structure, comprising three different kinds of quantum wells, we achieved a spectral tuning of about 156 nm.