Free-space mid-infrared optical links using quantum cascade lasers

Rainer Martini, Clyde Bethea, Federico Capasso, Claire Gmachl, Roberto Paiella, Edward A. Whittaker, Harold Y. Hwang, Deborah L. Sivco, James N. Baillargeon, Alfred Y. Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

We present experimental results for an optical free-space high-speed link using direct modulated mid-infrared (λ = 8.1 μm) quantum cascade lasers. A stable link was realized over a distance of 200m and QPSK encoded multimedia data were transmitted and received error-free, incorporating several hundred digitally encoded multimedia channels. The reliability of the system against weather influence (fog) was experimentally compared to that of a near-infrared (λ = 0.85 μm) link. Under clear weather conditions comparable results were obtained in both links. However, a higher stability of the MIR link was clearly observed under a dense fog situation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20-24
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume4975
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
EventPROCEEDINGS OF SPIE SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering: Free-Space Laser Communication Technologies XV - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: 28 Jan 200328 Jan 2003

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