Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) are a type of semiconductor laser that offer several unique benefits, especially in the mid-infrared and far-infrared(or terahertz) regions. Here are some of the key properties:
Tunable Wavelength: QCLs are designed such that the emission wavelength is determined by the thickness of the layers in the quantum well structure, rather than the bandgap of the material. This allows for precise control and tuning of the emission wavelength, which can be tailored to specific applications.
High Power: QCLs can produce high output power, often in the range of several watts. This is beneficial for applications that require strong light sources, such as spectroscopy or free-space communications.
Room Temperature Operation: Unlike many other types of lasers that operate in the mid-infrared and far-infrared regions, QCLs can operate at room temperature, which simplifies their use in many applications - no cryogenics needed.
Good Beam Quality: QCLs typically have good beam quality, which is important for applications that require precise control of the laser beam, such as microscopy or materials processing.
Broad Gain Bandwidth: QCLs have a broad gain bandwidth, which allows for the generation of short pulses and the implementation of frequency comb sources.
These benefits make QCLs useful for a wide range of applications, including spectroscopy, chemical sensing, biomedical imaging, and free-space communications. However, it's also worth noting that QCLs can be complex to design and fabricate, and they can be more expensive than other types of lasers.
Even in a more advanced fashion: we developed an unusual approach of using a QCL - called the "intrapulse mode"
Very interesting, check this out:
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