Optical switching of a quantum cascade laser in continuous wave operation

Gang Chen, Seong Wook Park, I. Chun A. Chen, Clyde G. Bethea, Rainer Martini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We demonstrate an optical switching in a middle infrared continuous-wave quantum cascade laser operated in single mode by illuminating its front facet with a near infrared laser. A decrease in the laser net gain is observed in the amplified spontaneous emission spectrum. This is attributed to an increase of the carrier concentration caused by the near infrared excitation. The net gain reduction allows the quantum cascade laser to be completely switched off from single mode lasing. This optical switching can be used to convert near infrared signals into middle infrared signals for free space communication.

Original languageEnglish
Article number018501
JournalChinese Physics Letters
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

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