Intrinsic stability of quantum cascade lasers against optical feedback

Mezzapesa, Francesco P.; Columbo, L.; Brambilla, Massimo; Dabbicco, Maurizio; Borri, Simone; Vitiello, Miriam S.; Beere, Harvey E.; Ritchie, D. A.; Scamarcio, Gaetano

doi:10.1364/oe.21.013748

Cited by 101 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Using this model, we reproduce all optical feedback-related phenomena, including the compounding effect of re-injected photons on laser electro-optical dynamics, external cavity oscillations [36], altered threshold current [37,38], and modulation bandwidth [39]. In most lasers, changes in temperature or drive current [40] cause a slight perturbation in the emission frequency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback

Agnew¹,

Grier²,

Taimre³

et al. 2016

Opt. Express

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Abstract:Optical feedback effects in lasers may be useful or problematic, depending on the type of application. When semiconductor lasers are operated using pulsed-mode excitation, their behavior under optical feedback depends on the electronic and thermal characteristics of the laser, as well as the nature of the external cavity. Predicting the behavior of a laser under both optical feedback and pulsed operation therefore requires a detailed model that includes laser-specific thermal and electronic characteristics. In this paper we introduce such a model for an exemplar bound-to-continuum terahertz frequency quantum cascade laser (QCL), illustrating its use in a selection of pulsed operation scenarios. Our results demonstrate significant interplay between electro-optical, thermal, and feedback phenomena, and that this interplay is key to understanding QCL behavior in pulsed applications. Further, our results suggest that for many types of QCL in interferometric applications, thermal modulation via low duty cycle pulsed operation would be an alternative to commonly used adiabatic modulation.Published by The Optical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI. 4, 631-633 (2014). 11. G. Giuliani, M. Norgia, S. Donati, and T. Bosch, "Laser diode self-mixing technique for sensing applications," J. Opt.A 1937-1942 (2016

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback

Agnew¹,

Grier²,

Taimre³

et al. 2016

Opt. Express

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show abstract

“…Experiments have been performed recently and interpreted using the Lang and Kobayachi equations modeling a conventional semiconductor laser subject to a delayed optical feedback [28]. The authors determined the first oscillatory instability (Hopf bifurcation) and explored the stabilizing effect of a large photon to carrier lifetime ratio.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonlinear dynamics of an injected quantum cascade laser

2013

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The stability properties of an injected quantum cascade laser are investigated analytically on the basis of current estimates of the laser parameters. We show that in addition to stable locking, Hopf bifurcations leading to pulsating intensities are possible. We discuss the stability diagrams in terms of the detuning and the injection rate for different values of the linewidth enhancement factor. The analysis indicates domains of coexistence between two stable steady states (bistability) or between a stable steady state and stable periodic oscillations. All predictions are verified numerically by determining bifurcation diagrams from the laser rate equations.

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“…In the mid-IR, although QCLs are much more resistant to optical feedback than their interband counterparts due to the lower α-factor, 6 it has been shown that they still exhibit the same behavior in terms of changes of output power, threshold current and optical spectrum. 7 Furthermore, chaotic emission from a QCL under optical feedback has recently been evidenced.…”

confidence: 99%

Estimating optical feedback from a chalcogenide fiber in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

Jumpertz

Caillaud

Gilles³

et al. 2016

AIP Advances

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International audienceThe amount of optical feedback originating from a chalcogenide fiber used to couple light from a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser is evaluated experimentally. Threshold reduction measurements on the fibered laser, combined with an analytical study of a rate equations model of the laser under optical feedback, allow estimating the feedback strength between 11% and 15% depending on the fiber cleavage quality. While this remains below the frontier of the chaotic regime, it is sufficient to deeply modify the optical spectrum of a quantum cascade laser. Hence for applications such as gas spectroscopy, where the shape of the optical spectrum is of prime importance, the use of mid-infrared optical isolators may be necessary for fibered quantum cascade lasers to be fully exploited. © 2016 Author(s)

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Intrinsic stability of quantum cascade lasers against optical feedback

Cited by 101 publications

References 26 publications

Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback

Model for a pulsed terahertz quantum cascade laser under optical feedback

Nonlinear dynamics of an injected quantum cascade laser

Estimating optical feedback from a chalcogenide fiber in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

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