SWIR MECSEL emitting above 1600 nm

Abstract

We demonstrate the operation of two optically pumped high-power membrane external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (MECSELs) that emit in 1600–1800 nm spectral region. The region of the MECSEL consisted of eight strained InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) that are enclosed by InGaAlAs barriers. The heterostructures were deposited on InP substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. In order to efficiently dissipate heat, the developed MECSEL technology requires etching-off the epitaxial substrate and bonding two diamond heat spreaders on both sides of membrane. Maximum output powers of 1.6 W at 1640 nm and 2.1 W at 1760 nm were achieved. The mount temperatures were -6°C in both cases. The introduction of a birefringent filter into the resonator of the 1760 nm emitting laser produced a 133-nm wavelength tuning range, from 1695 nm to 1828 nm.