Compact, Wavelength Agile, External Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser for Spectroscopic and Communications Applications in the 3-12 um Regime

There is a growing need for compact mid-IR laser sources in the scientific, military, homeland security, industrial control, and medical diagnostics markets. Daylight Solutions plans to develop a compact mid-IR quantum cascade laser (QCL) source that is suitable for optical communications and high-power applications, has broad tunability for spectroscopic applications, and is highly manufacturable in a Telecom package. The Phase I effort consisted of proof-of-principle demonstrations of a mid-IR QCL that can be assembled in a reliable way in a compact package, has good frequency selectivity, and is wavelength tunable over a limited range with a movable MEMS grating. Building on the technical success of the Phase I program, the objectives of the Phase II effort are to a) redesign the optical layout for improved beam characteristics and thermal load capacity, b) simplify the repeatable construction of these devices through robotic placement of components, and c) incorporate new MEMS tuning elements for frequency selective feedback over a significantly broader tuning range. The successful completion of the Phase II program will provide the necessary stepping stones to Phase III. The result of this effort will be a novel compact, high-power, wavelength agile mid-IR laser that does not currently exist on the market.