An experimental study of noise in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers of different designs

Schilt, Stéphane; Tombez, Lionel; Haller, Camille; Bismuto, A.; Blaser, Stéphane; Maulini, Richard; Terazzi, Romain; Rochat, Michel; Südmeyer, Thomas

doi:10.1007/s00340-015-6021-4

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A possible explanation of the observed behavior is an improvement of the laser contacts over time resulting from an annealing effect, which slightly reduces the voltage drop in the contacts and the associated laser heating. This assumption is similar to the statement given by Evans and Razeghi for the initial power increase observed in their QCLs reliability tests [7] The laser contacts can be a source of noise in QCLs by acting like Schottky diodes, in a similar way as the interface between the n-doped regions (cladding and gain medium) and the irondoped lateral insulator was considered as a potential source of noise in BH-QCLs [14].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

“…1 was used. It is similar to the experimental arrangement commonly used to measure the frequency noise spectrum of QCLs [9], [11]- [14]. The absorption slope of a molecular transition converts frequency fluctuations of the laser into intensity fluctuations that are subsequently detected by a photodiode.…”

Section: Experimental Setup and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…QCLs are known to have a very narrow intrinsic linewidth at the 100-Hz level [9], but they suffer from extra flicker (1/f) noise that significantly broadens the actual linewidth encountered in practice, typically to the megahertz level [10]. Several experimental studies of frequency noise in QCLs were performed in the last years [9], [11]- [14]. In this context, we showed that electrical noise measured on the voltage drop across the QCL is a powerful mean to investigate noise processes in QCLs as it constitutes the main contribution to the laser frequency noise [12], [14].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several experimental studies of frequency noise in QCLs were performed in the last years [9], [11]- [14]. In this context, we showed that electrical noise measured on the voltage drop across the QCL is a powerful mean to investigate noise processes in QCLs as it constitutes the main contribution to the laser frequency noise [12], [14]. Recently, Yamanishi et al also proposed a theoretical model of the origin of this electrical flicker noise in ridge-waveguide QCLs in terms of fluctuating charge-dipoles [15].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Frequency Ageing and Noise Evolution in a Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Laser Measured Over a Two-Month Period

Schilt

Tombez

Haller

et al. 2015

IEEE J. Select. Topics Quantum Electron.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract-We report on the evaluation of the frequency stability of a distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (QCL) at 8 μm that was continuously monitored over a 2-month period using a spectroscopic setup. The QCL was operated in continuous wave mode at room temperature (21.4°C). It was driven by a home-made low-noise controller at a nominal current of ∼600 mA located in the middle of its operation range. Two distinctive behaviors were observed. A monotonous frequency drift of about 1.8 GHz was observed during slightly more than the first month, followed by a stable regime in the second month where the frequency remained within a 100 MHz range. In addition, the electrical flicker noise of the QCL was regularly measured during the same period, and similarly showed two different regimes. The noise regularly decreased at a small rate of about 0.3%/day during the first month, whereas it tends to stabilize during the second month. We believe that an improvement of the QCL contacts over time is responsible for this behavior. After the initial one-month period, the QCL showed a remarkably stable behavior that is beneficial for many applications that require stable long-term operation.Index Terms-Laser noise, laser reliability, laser stability, quantum cascade laser.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Experimental Setup and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Frequency Ageing and Noise Evolution in a Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Laser Measured Over a Two-Month Period

Schilt

Tombez

Haller

et al. 2015

IEEE J. Select. Topics Quantum Electron.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Electrical feedback applied to the QCL current is the standard approach to stabilize a QCL to an optical reference, such as a molecular transition or the resonance of an optical cavity, where an error signal proportional to the QCL frequency fluctuations is generated. However, other methods have been demonstrated for frequency noise reduction in QCLs that circumvent the use of an optical reference by exploiting the correlation observed between fluctuations of the optical frequency and of the voltage between the QCL terminals [9]. Using the QCL voltage noise as an error signal to reduce the frequency noise requires another actuator that enables fast internal temperature corrections to be applied to the QCL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency Tuning and Modulation of a Quantum Cascade Laser with an Integrated Resistive Heater

et al. 2016

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:We present a detailed experimental investigation of the use of a novel actuator for frequency tuning and modulation in a quantum cascade laser (QCL) based on a resistive integrated heater (IH) placed close to the active region. This new actuator is attractive for molecular spectroscopy applications as it enables fast tuning of the QCL wavelength with a minor influence on the optical output power, and is electrically-controlled. Using a spectroscopic setup comprising a low-pressure gas cell, we measured the tuning and modulation properties of a QCL emitting at 7.8 µm as a function of the active region and IH currents. We show that a current step applied to the IH enables the laser frequency to be switched by 500 MHz in a few milliseconds, as fast as for a step of the current in the active region, and limited by heat dissipation towards the laser sub-mount. The QCL optical frequency can be modulated up to~100 kHz with the IH current, which is one order of magnitude slower than for the QCL current, but sufficient for many spectroscopic applications. We discuss the experimental results using a thermal model of the heat transfer in terms of cascaded low-pass filters and extract the respective cut-off frequencies. Finally, we present a proof-of-principle experiment of wavelength modulation spectroscopy of a N 2 O transition performed with a modulation of the IH current and show some potential benefits in comparison to QCL current modulation, which results from the reduced associated amplitude modulation.

show abstract

Intensity Correlations in Quantum Cascade Laser Harmonic Frequency Combs

Gabbrielli

Bruno

Corrias

et al. 2022

Advanced Photonics Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A novel study on harmonic frequency combs emitted by quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) is presented here, demonstrating the presence of intensity correlations between twin modes characterizing the emission spectra. These originate from a four‐wave mixing process driven by the active medium's third‐order nonlinearity. The study of such correlations is essential for the engineering of a new generation of semiconductor devices with the potential of becoming integrated emitters of light with quantum properties, such as squeezing and entanglement. Starting from experimental results, the limits of state‐of‐the‐art technology are discussed as well as the possible methodologies that could lead to the detection of nonclassical phenomena, or alternatively improve the design of QCLs, in the compelling perspective of generating quantum correlations in mid‐infrared light.

show abstract

An experimental study of noise in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers of different designs

Cited by 12 publications

References 38 publications

Frequency Ageing and Noise Evolution in a Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Laser Measured Over a Two-Month Period

Frequency Ageing and Noise Evolution in a Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Laser Measured Over a Two-Month Period

Frequency Tuning and Modulation of a Quantum Cascade Laser with an Integrated Resistive Heater

Intensity Correlations in Quantum Cascade Laser Harmonic Frequency Combs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About