Bridging the 3 to 4 μm Spectral Gap: High Performance Antimonide-based Quantum Cascade Lasers

Our team is proposing to bridge the currently existing spectral gap in laser availability between 3 and 4 μm by developing novel, high performance Sb-based Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL). Pranalytica, Inc., based in Santa Monica, CA (prime contractor), is a world-leading commercial supplier of high performance traditional QCLs. In Phase I of this effort, we are proposing to develop a U.S.-based source of high quality epitaxial material for Sb-based QCLs, and to generate advanced quantum designs based on the recently developed novel design principles that have already led to world-record QCL performance at 4.6 μm producing 3 W of continuous wave power at room temperature from a single emitter. At the successful completion of Phase I, we will demonstrate Sb-based QCL devices emitting at a wavelengths within this window, operating at thermoelectrically (TE) accessible temperature. These achievements will position Pranalytica to leverage its expertise in QCL processing and packaging in Phase II, and will lead to devices surpassing the state of the art performance of today.