Generation In Quantum Cascade Lasers Research Articles

Harmonic injection locking of high-power mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

High-power, high-speed quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with stable emission in the mid-infrared regime are of great importance for applications in metrology, telecommunication, and fundamental tests of physics. Owing to the intersubband transition, the unique ultrafast gain recovery time of the QCL with picosecond dynamics is expected to overcome the modulation limit of classical semiconductor lasers and bring a revolution for the next generation of ultrahigh-speed optical communication. Therefore, harmonic injection locking, offering the possibility to fast modulate and greatly stabilize the laser emission beyond the rate limited by cavity length, is inherently adapted to QCLs. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the harmonic injection locking of a mid-infrared QCL with an output power over 1 W in continuous-wave operation at 288 K. Compared with an unlocked laser, the intermode spacing fluctuation of an injection-locked QCL can be considerably reduced by a factor above 1 × 10 3 , which permits the realization of an ultrastable mid-infrared semiconductor laser with high phase coherence and frequency purity. Despite temperature change, this fluctuation can be still stabilized to hertz level by a microwave modulation up to ∼ 18 GHz . These results open up the prospect of the applications of mid-infrared QCL technology for frequency comb engineering, metrology, and the next-generation ultrahigh-speed telecommunication. It may also stimulate new schemes for exploring ultrafast mid-infrared pulse generation in QCLs.

Effect of cold finger temperature on optical pulse modulation characteristics in a 2.59 terahertz quantum cascade laser

Terahertz (THz) frequency sources such as quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) offer a variety of new applications in far-infrared frequency bands. For better understanding of their behavior, a device-specific modeling approach is used to predict the optical output power under current modulation and chip temperature. This letter reports the numerical simulation of gain switching to evaluate temperature dependence for short pulse generation in QCLs. Modified rate equations are used for self-consistent computation of emitted THz optical power from QCLs. The device emits at 116 µm and is driven by various inputs such as haversine, tangential hyperbolic and square electrical pulses. From the simulation it is evident that the square input pulse requires the least magnitude current (0.83 A) at 15 K to generate pulses with minimum full width half maximum (FWHM). Moreover, when the peak amplitude of the square input signal is 1.01 A, it generates optical pulses with the least FWHM of 19.42 ps at 45 K. In the case of the haversine input with peak amplitude of 1.8A, a peak power of 27.86 mW is generated at 15 K.

Terahertz generation in quantum-cascade lasers through down-conversion optical nonlinearity: Design and modeling

In this paper, we propose an electrically driven optically excited laser structure for terahertz (THz) generation in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) through frequency down-conversion optical nonlinearity. In our distinct design, both the pump and THz radiations are generated simultaneously by optical and electronic intersubband transitions (ISTs) between the quantized states within the conduction band of the same active region of a QCL. The modeling of laser bandstructure is achieved using a self-consistent solution of Schrödinger–Poisson equations, and the detailed analysis of electronic transport of the proposed structure is performed using the density matrix approach and energy-density balance equation that self-consistently consider the optical, electrical and thermal interactions in the structure. Additionally, the waveguide loss for the THz optical mode is considered using the bulk Drude model. Using a stationary solution of the density matrix equations, an expression for the THz intensity gain is derived as a function of pump field intensity, carrier distributions and quantum coherence contributions. Using the presented model, we analyze the steady-state and transient characteristics of the device for two different heatsink temperatures, 220 and 300 K. Simulation results show that the proposed structure has a potential to generate room-temperature THz radiation in QCLs.

Large-signal modulation in distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers for coherent multiharmonic signal generation

In this Letter, an experimental analysis for coherent multiharmonic signal generation in quantum cascade lasers is presented. The underlying principle relies on the direct modulation of the laser with a large sinusoidal wave to drive the laser above and below threshold. This generates a multiharmonic optical signal in the frequency domain as the device is forced to respond in a nonlinear fashion. The impact of the modulation parameters is assessed in the resultant optical spectrum of a continuous-wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser. Despite not creating pulses due to the ultrafast dynamics of the laser, the results reveal that a comb structure with uniform line spacing and high phase correlation between teeth can be straightforwardly generated.

Dual-Frequency Generation in Quantum Cascade Lasers of the 8-μm Spectral Range

Results of an investigation of quantum cascade lasers of the 8-μm spectral range generating dual-frequency radiation at room temperature are presented. The dependences of radiation intensity for two lines of laser generation obtained as a result of investigation of the generation spectra revealed the presence of saturation and decay of the long-wavelength line of generation and linear growth of the intensity of the short-wavelength one. Based on analysis of the obtained data, a mechanism of the dual-frequency generation in the studied QCL samples is proposed Generation.

Broadly tunable terahertz difference-frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers on silicon

We report broadly tunable terahertz (THz) sources based on intracavity Cherenkov difference-frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers transfer-printed on high-resistivity silicon substrates. Spectral tuning from 1.3 to 4.3 THz was obtained from a 2-mm long laser chip using a modified Littrow external cavity setup. The THz power output and the midinfrared-to-THz conversion efficiency of the devices transferred on silicon are dramatically enhanced, compared with the devices on a native semi-insulating InP substrate. Enhancement is particularly significant at higher THz frequencies, where the tail of the Reststrahlen band results in a strong absorption of THz light in the InP substrate.

Single Stack Active Region Nonlinear Quantum Cascade Lasers for Improved THz Emission

We present a single stack active region design for terahertz emission by difference frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers. The active region contains a single design, which is based on multiple optical transitions within one period. This results in both a giant nonlinearity and an ultra-broad optical gain. The provided optical gain spectrum is broad enough to support two distinct mid-infrared modes with a significant spectral separation. For dual-emission, the waveguide contains a buried, index-coupled distributed feedback grating. This grating is based on a sampled approach to provide selective feedback for two mid-infrared modes at λ1=8.39 μ m and $\lambda _{{\text{2 }}}= {\text{9.38}}\, \mu {\text{m}}$ . Simultaneously, the manifold of possible transitions within the active region is designed to provide a peak nonlinear susceptibility of $\vert \chi ^{(2)}{\rm{\vert \, \,= \,\,}} {\text{29 nm}} {\text{V}}^{- 1}$ at the conversion to 3.8 THz. The device emits up to 210- μ W THz power at room temperature with a nonlinear conversion efficiency of $\eta ={\text{ 2.05 mW}} {\text{W}}^{- 2}$ .

Optimization study of third harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers.

A systematic optimization study of quantum cascade lasers with integrated nonlinearity for third-harmonic generation is performed. To model current transport the Pauli master equation is solved using a Monte Carlo approach. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to obtain the Pareto front. Our theoretical analysis indicates an optimized structure with five orders of magnitude increase in the generated third-harmonic power with respect to the reference design. This striking performance comes with a low threshold current density of about 1.6 kA/cm2 and is attributed to double resonant phonon scattering assisted extraction and injection scheme of the laser.

Microscopic approach to second harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers.

Second harmonic generation is analyzed from a microscopical point of view using a non-equilibrium Green's function formalism. Through this approach the complete on-state of the laser can be modeled and results are compared to experiment with good agreement. In addition, higher order current response is extracted from the calculations and together with waveguide properties, these currents provide the intensity of the second harmonic in the structure considered. This power is compared to experimental results, also with good agreement. Furthermore, our results, which contain all coherences in the system, allow to check the validity of common simplified expressions.

Monte Carlo study of terahertz difference frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers

We present an extended ensemble Monte Carlo approach, allowing for the self-consistent modeling of terahertz difference frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers. Our simulations are validated against available experimental data for a current room temperature design. Tera-hertz output powers in the mW range are predicted for ideal light extraction.

Terahertz sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers

We report room-temperature terahertz sources based on Čerenkov difference-frequency generation in dual-wavelength mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers with giant resonant optical nonlinearities originating from intersubband transitions. A Čerenkov difference-frequency generation scheme allows for extraction of THz radiation along the whole length of the laser waveguide and provides directional terahertz emission. Experimentally, our sources demonstrate a conversion efficiency of up to 70 μW/W2 approximately an order of magnitude improvement over the previous reports.

Room temperature single-mode terahertz sources based on intracavity difference-frequency generation in quantum cascade lasers

We demonstrate room temperature single-mode THz emission at 4 THz based on intracavity difference-frequency generation from mid-infrared dual-wavelength quantum cascade lasers. An integrated dual-period distributed feedback grating is defined on the cap layer to purify both mid-infrared pumping wavelengths and in turn the THz spectra. Single mode operation of the pumping wavelengths results in a single-mode THz operation with a narrow linewidth of 6.6 GHz. A maximum THz power of 8.5 μW with a power conversion efficiency of 10 μW/W2 is obtained at room temperature.

Second harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers pumped by femtosecond mid-infrared pulses

Second harmonic generation (SHG) pulses at λ ∼ 2.25 µm have been obtained from a 4.5 µm quantum cascade laser (QCL) when it is resonantly pumped by transverse magnetic polarized 120 fs, λ = 4.5 µm pulses through the QCL’s front facet at room temperature. The measured SHG spectrum narrows when the bias across the QCL increases due to the electron population re-distribution and subband realignment. The expected quadratic dependence of the SHG with pump power is observed but saturates at higher pump powers. The linear to nonlinear power conversion efficiency is calculated (∼2 µW/W2) and compared with theoretical calculation. This experiment provides an alternative way of investigating the carrier dynamics in QCLs.

Short-wavelength infrared second harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers

We propose an electrically pumped intersubband laser capable of operating at short infrared wavelengths ∼1.5–2.5 μm. Short-wavelength operation is achieved via resonant intracavity second harmonic generation in quantum cascade (QC) lasers based on high band offset heterostructures. This approach overcomes the fundamental problem of intervalley scattering that prohibits direct lasing in QC lasers in this spectral range. The proposed devices can be modulated at a rate exceeding 100 GHz, which may be interesting for a variety of applications. We present detailed calculations of bandstructure design, phase-matched waveguide, and current-output power dependence for the devices based on GaInAs/AlAsSb/InP heterostructures. Accurate position of highly excited subbands is determined by calculating the conduction band (CB) dispersion with the energy-dependent 14-band effective mass, in which matrix elements are adjusted to fit the CB structure obtained with a 30-band k⋅p method. We also discuss the controversial location of lateral valleys, which imposes the limitation on the fundamental laser transition energy.

Second-harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers with electric field and current dependent nonlinear susceptibility

The authors demonstrate a quantum cascade laser design with an integrated resonant nonlinearity for second-harmonic generation. Its nonlinear power conversion efficiency is strongly dependent on the injected current density due to an electric field and current dependent nonlinear susceptibility. This dependence produces an observed tenfold increase of the conversion efficiency over the current density range of 2.7–7.5kA∕cm2. Furthermore, bidirectional lasing at widely different wavelengths is a side effect for this active region design.

Quasiphase matching of second-harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers by Stark shift of electronic resonances

We demonstrate a quasiphase matching scheme for second-harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers with integrated resonant nonlinearity. Modulation of the nonlinear susceptibility is achieved by the periodic modulation of the bias voltage along the ridge waveguide leading to a periodic shift of electronic resonances and a change in the electron population in different energy levels. An up to tenfold enhancement of the conversion efficiency is observed. This technique is applicable to any resonant nonlinear optical process in quantum wells.

Improvement of second-harmonic generation in quantum-cascade lasers with true phase matching

About a 100-fold improvement of the second-harmonic generation in a quantum-cascade laser with integrated optical nonlinearity was obtained by including phase-matching considerations in the design of the deep-etched ridge waveguide. The waveguide layer structure was optimized to minimize the phase mismatch of the zero-order mode of the fundamental light with the second-order transverse mode of the second-harmonic light. Exact phase matching is made possible by the faster decrease of the modal refractive index of the fundamental light with decreasing ridge width relative to the refractive index of the second-harmonic light. Up to 240 μW of the second-harmonic power and a nonlinear power conversion efficiency of up to 36 mW/W2 were achieved.

Temperature dependence and single-mode tuning behavior of second-harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) is reported in quantum cascade (QC) lasers with active regions that also support nonlinear cascades with large second order nonlinear susceptibility. SHG has been measured from 10 up to 250 K heat sink temperature, with about 1 μW of nonlinear power at 10 K and about 50 nW at 250 K. Single-mode and tunable SHG at 3.5 μm wavelength has been measured from single-mode QC distributed feedback lasers operating at the fundamental pump wavelength of 7.0 μm. Thermal tuning results in a tuning rate for the SHG emission of ∼0.2 nm/K for temperatures above ∼100 K.

Milliwatt second harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers with modal phase matching

Milliwatt second harmonic power at 4.45 µm was achieved in InP lattice-matched quantum cascade lasers with monolithically-integrated resonant nonlinear cascades and modal phase matching. The use of an InP top-cladding layer and high-reflectance coating on the laser back facet enabled high linear laser power and consequently record nonlinear power.

Optimized second-harmonic generation in quantum cascade lasers

Optimized second-harmonic generation (SHG) in quantum cascade (QC) lasers with specially designed active regions is reported. Nonlinear optical cascades of resonantly coupled intersubband transitions with giant second-order nonlinearities were integrated with each QC-laser active region. QC lasers with three-coupled quantum-well (QW) active regions showed up to 2 /spl mu/W of SHG light at 3.75 /spl mu/m wavelength at a fundamental peak power and wavelength of 1 W and 7.5 /spl mu/m, respectively. These lasers resulted in an external linear-to-nonlinear conversion efficiency of up to 1 /spl mu/W/W/sup 2/. An improved 2-QW active region design at fundamental and SHG wavelengths of 9.1 and 4.55 /spl mu/m, respectively, resulted in a 100-fold improved external linear-to-nonlinear power conversion efficiency, i.e. up to 100 /spl mu/W/W/sup 2/. Full theoretical treatment of nonlinear light generation in QC lasers is given, and excellent agreement with the experimental results is obtained. For the best structure, a second-order nonlinear susceptibility of 4.7/spl times/10/sup -5/ esu (2/spl times/10/sup 4/pm/V) is calculated, about two orders of magnitude above conventional nonlinear optical materials and bulk III-V semiconductors.