Quantum cascade lasers with voltage defect of less than one longitudinal optical phonon energy

Matthew D. Escarra, Anthony J. Hoffman, Kale J. Franz, Scott S. Howard, Richard Cendejas, Xiaojun Wang, Jen Yu Fan, Claire F. Gmachl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Efficient use of applied voltage in quantum cascade (QC) lasers is a critical factor in achieving high wall-plug efficiency and low compliance voltage. We demonstrate a QC laser emitting at 4.2 μm featuring a low voltage defect and short injector with only four quantum wells. Devices with a voltage defect of 20 meV, well below the energy of the longitudinal optical phonons, and a voltage efficiency of 91%, a record value for QC lasers, are reported for pulsed operation at 180 K. Voltage efficiencies of greater than 80% are exhibited at room temperature. Overall performance showed wall-plug efficiencies ranging from 21% at cryogenic temperatures to 5.3% at room temperature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number251114
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume94
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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