Quantum cascade laser gain enhancement by front facet illumination

Gang Chen, Clyde G. Bethea, Rainer Martini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Optical gain enhancement is demonstrated in a standard midinfrared quantum cascade laser in pulse operation, using a near infrared illumination on the laser facet. An increase in the laser emission is observed, as well as greater dynamic range, threshold reduction, and a blue shift in the laser cavity modes. The optically induced gain increase allows for optical switching of the laser. All the changes have a nonlinear dependency on the illumination optical power and are attributed to the free carrier concentration increase and the electron transport change in the active region due to the near infrared illumination.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24282-24287
Number of pages6
JournalOptics Express
Volume17
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Dec 2009

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