Open AccessQuantum cascade lasers with discrete and non equidistant extended tuning tailored by simulated annealing
Author(s) -
Nicolas Villa,
Grégory Strübi,
Tobias Gresch,
Jérémy Butet,
Stéphane Blaser,
Antoine Müller
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.026701
Subject(s) - cascade , equidistant , optics , quantum cascade laser , materials science , laser , grating , optoelectronics , physics , chemistry , geometry , mathematics , chromatography
In this work, we report a new superstructure grating design method for broad, non-equidistant discrete tuning in quantum cascade lasers using the Vernier effect. Our approach is applied to a wafer with gain centred at ∼7.8 μ m. Measurements of a 3.75 mm long device are presented yielding 3.66% tuning around the central frequency and a peak optical power over 200 mW at 0 ∘ C heat sink temperature. In addition, we show that taking into account the optical dispersion of the material is crucial to fulfill narrow specifications. Our device is particularly well suited for multi absorption line spectroscopic measurements requiring high resolution and small form factor for high volume production.