Tunable excitation of mid-infrared optically pumped semiconductor lasers

Linda J. Olafsen; Jeremy Kunz; Andrew P. Ongstad; Ron Kaspi

doi:10.1117/12.2008808

4 February 2013 Tunable excitation of mid-infrared optically pumped semiconductor lasers

Linda J. Olafsen, Jeremy Kunz, Andrew P. Ongstad, Ron Kaspi

Proceedings Volume 8631, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices X; 86312N (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2008808
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2013, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

While conventional semiconductor lasers employ electrical injection for carrier excitation, optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSLs) have demonstrated high output powers and high brightness in the mid-infrared. An important consideration for optically pumped lasers is efficient absorption of the pump beam, which can be achieved through increasing the number of periods in the active region, by placing the active region in a cavity with an optical thickness of twice the pump wavelength between distributed Bragg reflectors (Optical Pumping Injection Cavity), or by periodically inserting the active quantum wells into an InGaAsSb waveguide designed to absorb the pump radiation (Integrated Absorber). A tunable optical pumping technique is utilized by which threshold intensities are minimized and efficiencies are maximized. The near-IR idler output of a Nd:YAG-pumped optical parametric oscillator (10 Hz, ~4 ns) is the tunable optical pumping source in this work. Results are presented for an OPSL with a type-II W active region embedded in an integrated absorber to enhance the absorption of the optical pump beam. Emission wavelengths range from 4.64 μm at 78 K to 4.82 μm at 190 K for optical pump wavelengths ranging from 1930-1950 nm. The effect of wavelength tuning is demonstrated and compared to single wavelength pumping (1940 nm) at a higher duty cycle (20- 30%). Comparisons are also made to other OPSLs, including a discussion of the characteristic temperature and high temperature performance of these devices.

Citation Download Citation

Linda J. Olafsen, Jeremy Kunz, Andrew P. Ongstad, and Ron Kaspi "Tunable excitation of mid-infrared optically pumped semiconductor lasers", Proc. SPIE 8631, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices X, 86312N (4 February 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2008808

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available