Dual use, non-cryogenic operating temperature, mid-infrared laser

Future IRCM laser transmitters are being developed based on optically pumped GaSb mid-infrared semiconductor laser, however, the current technology requires the laser to be operated at cryogenic temperature. Aculight and MIT Lincoln Laboratory propose toinvestigate methods to increase the operating temperature of these semiconductor lasers, which will dramatically decrease the cost of the laser transmitter by eliminating the need for a cryogenic cooler and associated vacuum dewar. The proposedmid-infrared laser technology has potential applications in spectroscopic gas sensing systems for environmental monitoring, explosive detection and industrial process monitoring sensors.