InAsSb/InAsSbP double-heterostructure lasers emitting in the 3–4 µm spectral range

Abstract

Our earlier reports concerning the fabrication by liquid-phase epitaxy and investigation of InAsSbP/InAsSb/InAsSbP double heterostructure lasers emitting at 3–4 µm are reviewed. The dependences of spectral characteristics and the spatial distribution of the laser emission on temperature and current are discussed. Lasing modes are shifted by 0.5–1.0 cm−1 to longer wavelengths with increasing temperature. The tuning of the lasing modes by means of current is very fast (10−8–10−12 s). With increasing current, the modes are shifted to shorter wavelengths by 50–60 A at 77 K. The maximum mode shift of 104 A (10 cm−1) is observed at 62 K. The spectral line width of the laser is as narrow as 10 MHz. Abnormally narrow directional patterns in the p-n junction plane are observed in some cases in the spatial distribution of laser emission. The current tuning of lasers, due to nonlinear optical effects, has been modeled mathematically in good agreement with the experiment. Transmittance spectra of OCS, NH3, H2O, CH3Cl, and N2O gases were recorded using current-tuned lasers.