Fourier-transformed photoreflectance and photoluminescence have been used to study the optical transitions in type II quantum wells (QWs) ranging up to almost 5 m. High signal-to-noise ratio spectral features resulting from fundamental and excited state transitions have been detected for molecular beam epitaxially grown GaSb/AlSb/InAs/InGaSb/InAs/AlSb/GaSb ''W''-shaped QW structures designed for laser-based gas sensing applications in the mid-infrared. The spectral features' dependence on arsenic pressure during growth process and on InAs confining-layer thickness could be followed unambiguously at room temperature.

Long-infrared InAs-based quantum cascade lasers operating at 291 K (λ=19 μm) with metal-metal resonators Appl. Phys. Lett.

GaSb-based type-II quantum well (QW) structures and interband cascade lasers (ICLs) are investigated with regards to the dependence of emission wavelength on active QW thicknesses. Experimentally derived photoluminescence data and electrically driven ICL device data accompanied by theoretical calculations yield an average tuning rate of 0.55 μm per monolayer InAs in the range between 2.97 and 4.16 μm. Together with a temperature dependent ICL tuning behavior of 1.88 nm/K, the presented results provide the means for reliable and accurate emission wavelength control of ICLs in the 3–4 μm wavelength span which is of major importance for gas sensing applications.

No abstract

Optical properties of modified type II W-shaped quantum wells have been investigated with the aim to be utilized in interband cascade lasers. The results show that introducing a tensely strained GaAsSb layer, instead of a commonly used compressively strained GaInSb, allows employing the active transition involving valence band states with a significant admixture of the light holes. Theoretical predictions of multiband k·p theory have been experimentally verified by using photoluminescence and polarization dependent photoreflectance measurements. These results open a pathway for practical realization of mid-infrared lasing devices with uncommon polarization properties including, for instance, polarization-independent midinfrared light emitters.