Abstract
The generation of mid-infrared pulses in monolithic and electrically pumped devices is of great interest for mobile spectroscopic instruments. The gain dynamics of interband cascade lasers (ICL) are promising for mode-locked operation at low threshold currents. Here, we present conclusive evidence for the generation of picosecond pulses in ICLs via active mode-locking. At small modulation power, the ICL operates in a linearly chirped frequency comb regime characterized by strong frequency modulation. Upon increasing the modulation amplitude, the chirp decreases until broad pulses are formed. Careful tuning of the modulation frequency minimizes the remaining chirp and leads to the generation of 3.2 ps pulses.
Highlights
Recent efforts have been aimed at the generation of Optical frequency combs (OFC) via passive mode-locking of interband cascade lasers (ICL)
Neither the interferometric autocorrelation nor multiheterodyne beating experiments showed the formation of pulses [23]. Instead, such passive ICL frequency combs are characterized by a continuous output intensity with a strong frequency modulation [21], similar to what was found in Quantum cascade laser (QCL) [8,11]
In this Letter, we report on the generation of picosecond pulses in two-section Fabry–Perot ICLs
Summary
ICLs exhibit all required properties for efficient active mode-locking via modulation of the gain at the cavity round-trip frequency f rep [22]. Recent efforts have been aimed at the generation of OFCs via passive mode-locking of ICLs. neither the interferometric autocorrelation nor multiheterodyne beating experiments showed the formation of pulses [23]. Instead, such passive ICL frequency combs are characterized by a continuous output intensity with a strong frequency modulation [21], similar to what was found in QCLs [8,11].
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