We discuss the current performance of long-wavelength infrared photodetectors based on type-II superlattices, and the projected characteristics for diffusion-limited operation. For optimized architectures such as graded-gap and abrupt-heterojunction designs, the dark currents are strongly dominated by Shockley-Read (SR) rather than Auger processes. A factor of 10 improvement over the demonstrated SR lifetimes would lead to a factor of 4 lower dark current than state-of-the-art HgCdTe devices.
Type-II strained layer superlattices (SLS) are a rapidly maturing technology for infrared imaging applications,
with performance approaching that of HgCdTe1,2,3,4. Teledyne Imaging Sensors (TIS), in partnership with the
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), has recently demonstrated state-of-the-art, LWIR, SLS 256 × 256 focal
plane arrays (FPAs) with cutoff wavelengths ranging from 9.4 to 11.5 μm. The dark current performance of
these arrays is within a factor of 10-20 of (state-of-the-art) HgCdTe. Dark current characteristics of
unpassivated and passivated devices exhibit bulk-limited behavior, essential for FPA applications. TIS has
also demonstrated rapid substrate thinning processes for increased infrared transmission through the GaSb
substrate. In addition to this work, this presentation will discuss the recent developments of 1K x 1K LWIR
SLS FPAs.
We demonstrate electrically pumped, room temperature, single mode operation of photonic crystal distributed feedback
(PCDFB) quantum cascade lasers emitting at λ ~ 4.75 μm. Ridge waveguides of 50 μm and 100 μm width were
fabricated with both PCDFB and Fabry-Perot feedback mechanisms. The Fabry-Perot device has a broad emitting
spectrum and a broad far-field character. The PCDFB devices have primarily a single spectral mode and a diffraction
limited far field characteristic with a full angular width at half-maximum of 4.8 degrees and 2.4 degrees for the 50 μm
and 100 μm ridge widths, respectively.
Free-space optical communications has recently been touted as a solution to the "last mile" bottleneck of
high-speed data networks providing highly secure, short to long range, and high-bandwidth connections. However,
commercial near infrared systems experience atmospheric scattering losses and scintillation effects which can adversely
affect a link's operating budget. By moving the operating wavelength into the mid- or long-wavelength infrared
enhanced link uptimes and increased operating range can be achieved due to less susceptibility to atmospheric affects.
The combination of room-temperature, continuous-wave, high-power quantum cascade lasers and high operating
temperature type-II superlattice photodetectors offers the benefits of mid- and long-wavelength infrared systems as well
as practical operating conditions for next generation free-space communications systems.
Over the past several years, our group has endeavored to develop high power quantum cascade
lasers for a variety of remote and high sensitivity infrared applications. The systematic
optimization of laser performance has allowed for demonstration of high power, continuous-wave
quantum cascade lasers operating above room temperature. In the past year alone, the efficiency
and power of our short wavelength lasers (λ~4.8 μm) has doubled. In continuous wave at room
temperature, we have now separately demonstrated ~10% wallplug efficiency and ~700 mW of
output power. Up to now, we have been able to show that room temperature continuous wave
operation with >100 mW output power in the 3.8< λ<11.5 μm wavelength range is possible.
Laser-based free-space communications have been developed to serve specific roles in "last mile" high-speed data
networks due to their high security, low cost, portability, and high bandwidth. Conventional free-space systems based
on near infrared optical devices suffer from reliability problems due to atmospheric scattering losses and scintillation
effects, such as those encountered with storms, dust, and fog. Mid-infrared wavelengths are less affected by
atmospheric effects and can significantly enhance link uptime and range. This paper will discuss some of the recent
advances in high-power, high temperature, high reliability mid-infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers and their potential
application in highly reliable free space communication links.
Free-space optical communications has recently been touted as a solution to the "last mile" bottleneck of high speed data networks providing highly secure, short to long range, and high bandwidth connections. However, commercial near infrared systems experience atmospheric scattering losses and scintillation effects which can adversely affect a link's uptime. By moving the operating wavelength into the mid or long wavelength infrared enhanced link uptimes and increased range can be achieved due to less susceptibility atmospheric affects. The combination of room temperature, continuous wave' high power quantum cascade lasers and high operating temperature type II superlattice photodetectors offers the benefits of mid and long wavelength infrared systems as well as practical operating conditions.
Whereas high-power operation (> 1 W of cw output power at 200 K) has been demonstrated for quantum cascade lasers emitting at λ = 4.7-6.2 μm, those devices generally exhibited multiple longitudinal modes. Recently, a distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser operating in a single spectral mode at λ = 4.8 μm and at temperatures up to 333 K has been reported. In the present work, we provide detailed measurements and modeling of its performance characteristics. The sidemode suppression ratio exceeds 25 dB, and the emission remains robustly single-mode at all currents and temperatures tested. Cw output powers of 99 mW at 298 K and 357 mW at 200 K are obtained at currents well below the thermal rollover point. The slope efficiency and subthreshold amplified spontaneous emission spectra are shown to be consistent with a coupling coefficient of no more than κL ≈ 4-5, which is substantially lower than the estimate of 9 based on the nominal grating fabrication parameters.
Over the past several years, our group has endeavored to develop high power quantum cascade lasers for a variety of remote and high sensitivity infrared applications. The systematic optimization of laser performance has allowed for demonstration of high power, continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers operating above room temperature. Since 2002, the power levels for individual devices have jumped from <20 mW to >600 mW. Expanding on this development, we have able to demonstrate continuous wave operation at many wavelengths throughout the mid- and far-infrared spectral range, and have now achieved >100 mW output in the 4.0<λ<9.5 μm range.
Limiting factors for short-wavelength QCL designs are discussed, and a model is described to predict the short-wavelength limit for strain-balanced QCL structures. High performance is predicted at wavelengths as short as 3.0mm based on a conduction band offset of 0.9 eV in the GaInAs/AlInAs materials. Recent work is presented on the growth of strained materials using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy to investigate the model predictions. Advanced material characterization, including HR-STEM, high-resolution x-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, atomic force microscopy, and wafer-scale uniformity and repeatability are demonstrated for strain-balanced QCL structures. Laser testing results are presented for QCLs operating at ~4.8mm, and lastly, predictions for further performance improvement at short wavelengths are discussed.
Limiting factors for short-wavelength CW QCL designs are discussed. A model is used to predict the short-wavelength cutoff for strain-balanced QCL structures. High performance is predicted at wavelengths as short as 3.0 micron based on a conduction band offset of 0.9 eV in the GaInAs/AlInAs materials. Recent work is presented on the growth of strained materials using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy to investigate the model predictions. Advanced material characterization, including high-resolution x-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, atomic force microscopy, and wafer-scale uniformity and repeatability are demonstrated for highly-strained and strain-balanced QCL structures. Laser testing results are presented for QCLs operating near the short wavelength limit at 3.66 micron. Lastly, predictions for further performance improvement at short wavelengths are discussed.
We report the cw operation of quantum cascade lasers that do not require cryogenic cooling and emit at λ = 4.7-6.2 μm. At 200 K, more than 1 W of output power is obtained from 12-μm-wide stripes, with a wall-plug efficiency (ηwall) near 10%. Room-temperature cw operation has also been demonstrated, with a maximum output power of 640 mW (ηwall = 4.5%) at 6 μm and 260 mW (ηwall = 2.3%) at 4.8 μm. Far-field characterization indicates that whereas the beam quality remains close to the diffraction limit in all of the tested lasers, in the devices emitting at 6.2 μm the beam tends to steer by as much as 5-10° degrees in either direction with varying temperature and pump current.
Recent progress and outlook in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in the mid- to far-infrared wavelength range (3.6-16 μm) are reviewed. Our recent work has focused on the development of high-power continuous-wave (CW) QCLs emitting in wavelengths of 4.3-6.3 μm at room temperature and above. For λ~6 μm, advanced heterostructure geometries, including the use of a thick electroplated gold, epilayer-side heat sink lead to the first remarkable high-power CW QCL performance above room temperature, and a buried-ridge heterostructure are demonstrated to improve significantly laser performance (i.e., 579 mW at 298 K and operation up to 343 K) when combined with narrow laser ridges. Through re-engineering the optimized strain-balanced design, a similar excellent operation is achieved at 4.3-6.3μm. The pulse operations of the shorter wavelength (3.6-4 μm) and the long wavelength (8-16 μm) QCLs at room temperature are also demonstrated. Lastly, these results are put in the perspective of other reported results and possible future directions are discussed.
Very high power continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers are demonstrated in the mid-infrared (3 - 6 μm) wavelength range. λ~6 μm high-reflectivity coated QCLs are demonstrated producing over 370 mW continuous-wave power at room temperature with continuous-wave operation up to 333 K. Advanced heterostructure geometries, including the use of a thick electroplated gold, epilayer-side heat sink and a buried-ridge heterostructure are demonstrated to improve laser performance significantly when combined with narrow laser ridges. Recent significant improvements in CW operation are presented and include the development if narrow (9 μm-wide) ridges for high temperature CW operation. GasMBE growth of the strain-balanced λ~6 μm QCL heterostructure is discussed. X-ray diffraction measurements are presented and compared to computer simulations that indicate excellent layer and compositional uniformity of the structure.
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