Monolithic tunable GaSb-based lasers at 3.3 µm

Naehle, Lars; Zimmermann, Christian; Belahsene, S.; Fischer, M.; Boissier, G.; Grech, P.; Narcy, G.; Lundqvist, S.; Rouillard, Y.; Koeth, Johannes; Kamp, M.; Worschech, L.

doi:10.1049/el.2011.1986

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…One is a diode laser based on interband-transitions. It is limited to the < 4 µm region [2,3], since it suffers from increasing internal losses towards higher wavelengths. The quantum cascade laser (QCL), which is based on intersubband-transitions and shows best performance at higher wavelengths, is also a candidate to access this wavelength region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-mode interband cascade laser sources for mid-infrared spectroscopic applications

Scheuermann

Edlinger

Weih

et al. 2016

Next-Generation Spectroscopic Technologies IX

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Compared to the near infrared, many technologically and industrially relevant gas species have more than an order of magnitude higher absorption features in the mid-infrared (MIR) wavelength range. These species include for example important hydrocarbons (methane, acetylene), nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Tunable laser absorption spectroscopy (TLAS) has proven to be a versatile tool for gas sensing applications with significant advantages compared to other techniques. These advantages include real time measurement, standoff detection and ruggedness of the sensor.We present interband cascade lasers (ICLs), which have evolved into important laser sources for the MIR spectral range from 3 to 7 µm. ICLs achieve high efficiency by cascading optically active zones whilst using interband transitions, so they combine common diode laser as well as quantum cascade laser based technologies. Our application grade singlemode distributed feedback devices operate continuous wave at room temperature and are offering several features especially useful for high performance TLAS applications like: side mode suppression ratio of > 30 dB, continuous tuning ranges up to 30 nm, low threshold power densities and low overall power consumption. The devices are typically integrated in a thermoelectrically cooled TO-style package, hermetically sealed using a cap with anti-reflection coated window.This low power consumption as well as the compact size and ruggedness of the fabricated laser sources makes them perfectly suited for battery powered portable solutions for in field spectroscopy applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-mode interband cascade laser sources for mid-infrared spectroscopic applications

Scheuermann

Edlinger

Weih

et al. 2016

Next-Generation Spectroscopic Technologies IX

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“…In addition, BSG structures allow rather readily the selection of arbitrary combinations of wavelengths within the gain area. Corresponding designs with varying numbers of segments have been demonstrated at shorter emission wavelengths based on conventional diode laser gain media [14][15][16][17]. …”

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Monolithic single mode interband cascade lasers with wide wavelength tunability

Edlinger

Weih²,

Scheuermann

et al. 2016

Applied Physics Letters

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Monolithic two-section interband cascade lasers offering a wide wavelength tunability in the wavelength range around 3.7 µm are presented. Stable single mode emission in several wavelength channels was realized using the concept of binary superimposed gratings and two-segment Vernier-tuning. The wavelength selective elements in the two segments were based on specially designed lateral metal grating structures defined by electron beam lithography. A dual-step dry etch process provided electrical separation between the segments. Individual current control of the segments allowed wavelength channel selection as well as continuous wavelength tuning within channels. A discontinuous tuning range extending over 158 nm in up to six discrete wavelength channels was achieved. Mode hop free wavelength tuning up to 14 nm was observed within one channel. The devices can be operated in continuous wave mode up to 30 °C with output powers of 3.5 mW around room temperature.Interband cascade laser (ICL) technology has granted access to the mid-infrared wavelength region from 3 to 6 µm with low threshold powers [1-4], enabling for example novel high-speed, highsensitivity tunable laser absorption spectroscopy (TLAS) applications [5,6]. These require single mode laser emission, which can be achieved by a grating structure providing distributed feedback (DFB) [7,8]. The spectral bandwidth of sensors based on conventional DFB lasers is however limited by the current-induced tuning range of these devices, which is usually on the order of a few nanometers. Laser sources with increased tunability offer new possibilities for spectroscopic applications, for example the simultaneous detection of several gas species with a single sensor. An increased accessible spectral range also allows base line determination in the detection of molecules with broad absorption features, e.g. complex hydrocarbons. One way to achieve wider tunability is given by the use of a multiplexing schemes based on multiple individual DFB lasers at selected wavelengths [9]. However, this approach is expensive and limited by rapidly increasing complexity. Another approach based on external cavity (EC) setups [10] is of limited use for industrial applications due to the lack of ruggedness, the rather large size and high cost of EC based setups. A monolithic solution that is compact, rugged and that provides high tuning speeds is given by a multi-segment laser device with aperiodic grating structures. Several competitive approaches exist like sampled gratings [11,12] and binary superimposed gratings (BSGs) [13]. In this paper BSG structures were used because of the increased coupling strength compared to alternative solutions. In addition, BSG structures allow rather readily the selection of arbitrary combinations of wavelengths within the gain area. Corresponding designs with varying numbers of segments have been demonstrated at shorter emission wavelengths based on conventional diode laser gain media [14][15][16][17].

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“…Robust and efficient single spectral mode 3.27 µm diode lasers operating near room temperature (RT) in the continuouswave (CW) regime are required for methane TDLAS. Both distributed feedback (DFB) and external cavity single-frequency diode lasers operating in CW near RT near the methane absorption band have been reported, see for instance [1][2][3][4]. The available CW output power was limited to several milliwatts so far although higher values are often desirable for improved system sensitivity.…”

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Distributed feedback 3.27 µm diode lasers with continuous‐wave output power above 15 mW at room temperature

et al. 2014

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GaSb-based type-I quantum well laterally coupled distributed feedback diode lasers emitting in the methane absorption band near 3.27 µm were designed and fabricated. The first-order index grating with a period of 480 nm was defined by e-beam lithography and etched on both sides of 6 µm-wide shallow ridge waveguide. Coated 2 mmlong devices demonstrated stable continuous-wave single-frequency operation in a wide temperature range with an output power of 15 mW at +17°C and 40 mW at −20°C. The Bragg wavelength temperature tuning rate was ∼0.27 nm/K. Introduction: Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) is an effective approach for methane detection and monitoring. Methane sensing finds applications in industries ranging from oil production to planetary science. Robust and efficient single spectral mode 3.27 µm diode lasers operating near room temperature (RT) in the continuouswave (CW) regime are required for methane TDLAS. Both distributed feedback (DFB) and external cavity single-frequency diode lasers operating in CW near RT near the methane absorption band have been reported, see for instance [1][2][3][4]. The available CW output power was limited to several milliwatts so far although higher values are often desirable for improved system sensitivity.In this Letter, we report on the design and development of 3.27 µm emitting DFB lasers based on the efficiency of the diode laser heterostructure similar to the one reported in [5]. The devices demonstrate single-frequency operation in a wide temperature range with a CW output power level well above 15 mW. The lasers operated in the multimode CW regime below −30°C and above +20°C because of gain detuning from ∼3.27 µm DFB line.

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Monolithic tunable GaSb-based lasers at 3.3 µm

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Single-mode interband cascade laser sources for mid-infrared spectroscopic applications

Single-mode interband cascade laser sources for mid-infrared spectroscopic applications

Monolithic single mode interband cascade lasers with wide wavelength tunability

Distributed feedback 3.27 µm diode lasers with continuous‐wave output power above 15 mW at room temperature

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