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 language | English (US) |
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Article number | 251114 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 25 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)