Dynamic and nonlinear properties of mid-infrared interband quantum cascade lasers

Frédéric Grillot; Olivier Spitz; Shiyuan Zhao; Pierre Didier

doi:10.1117/12.2651426

15 March 2023 Dynamic and nonlinear properties of mid-infrared interband quantum cascade lasers

Frédéric Grillot, Olivier Spitz, Shiyuan Zhao, Pierre Didier

Proceedings Volume 12430, Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XIX; 1243005 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2651426
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Interband cascade lasers (ICLs) constitute a new class of semiconductor lasers allowing lasing emission in the 3– 7 μm wavelength region. Their structure presents similarities and differences with respect to both standard bipolar semiconductor lasers and quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). In contrast to QCLs, the stimulated emission of ICLs relies on the interband transition of type-II quantum wells while the carrier-to-photon lifetime ratio is similar to conventional bipolar lasers. ICLs can be classified into class-B laser systems like common quantum well lasers, and they exhibit a multi-GHz relaxation oscillation frequency that is related to the maximum modulation/chaos bandwidth achievable by these lasers. Moreover, ICLs take advantage of a cascading mechanism over repeated active regions, which allows us to boost the quantum efficiency and, thus, the emitted optical power. On top of that, the power consumption of ICLs is one or two orders of magnitude lower than their QCL counterparts whereas high-power of few hundreds of milliWatts can be achieved. Here, we report some recent results on the dynamic and nonlinear properties of ICLs. In particular, we demonstrate the generation of fully-developed chaos under external optical feedback. We show that ICLs exhibit some peculiar intensity noise features with a clear relaxation oscillation frequency. Together, these properties are of paramount importance for developing long-reach secure free-space communication, random bit generator, and remote chaotic LiDAR systems. Lastly, we also predict that ICLs are preferable devices for amplitude-noise squeezing because large amplitude noise reduction is attainable through inherent high quantum efficiency and short photon and electron lifetimes.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Frédéric Grillot, Olivier Spitz, Shiyuan Zhao, and Pierre Didier "Dynamic and nonlinear properties of mid-infrared interband quantum cascade lasers", Proc. SPIE 12430, Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XIX, 1243005 (15 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2651426

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