Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers

Abstract

Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) based on intersubband transitions operating at room temperature in the mid-infrared or `molecular ngerprint' spectral region (3.4{17 m) have been found useful for several applications including environmental sensing, pollution monitoring, and medical applications. In this tutorial review we present an introductory overview of the design and development of mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers and their applications.

Keywords: laser, intersubband transitions, quantum cascade, mid-infrared, quantum well