Multi-Spectral Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon With Integrated Multiplexers

Eric  J. Stanton; Alexander Spott; Jon Peters; Michael  L. Davenport; Aditya Malik; Nicolas Volet; Junqian Liu; Charles  D. Merritt; Igor Vurgaftman; Chul  Soo Kim; Jerry  R. Meyer; John  E. Bowers

doi:10.3390/photonics6010006

Photonics (Jan 2019)

Multi-Spectral Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon With Integrated Multiplexers

Eric J. Stanton,
Alexander Spott,
Jon Peters,
Michael L. Davenport,
Aditya Malik,
Nicolas Volet,
Junqian Liu,
Charles D. Merritt,
Igor Vurgaftman,
Chul Soo Kim,
Jerry R. Meyer,
John E. Bowers

Affiliations

Eric J. Stanton: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Alexander Spott: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Jon Peters: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Michael L. Davenport: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Aditya Malik: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Nicolas Volet: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Junqian Liu: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
Charles D. Merritt: Code 5613, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
Igor Vurgaftman: Code 5613, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
Chul Soo Kim: Code 5613, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
Jerry R. Meyer: Code 5613, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
John E. Bowers: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010006
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6, no. 1
p. 6

Abstract

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Multi-spectral midwave-infrared (mid-IR) lasers are demonstrated by directly bonding quantum cascade epitaxial gain layers to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides with arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexers. Arrays of distributed feedback (DFB) and distributed Bragg-reflection (DBR) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) emitting at ∼4.7 µm wavelength are coupled to AWGs on the same chip. Low-loss spectral beam combining allows for brightness scaling by coupling the light generated by multiple input QCLs into the fundamental mode of a single output waveguide. Promising results are demonstrated and further improvements are in progress. This device can lead to compact and sensitive chemical detection systems using absorption spectroscopy across a broad spectral range in the mid-IR as well as a high-brightness multi-spectral source for power scaling.

Published in Photonics

ISSN: 2304-6732 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General): Applied optics. Photonics
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/photonics

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