Optical and electrical characterizations of a novel laser system

• Main Author: Laavanyah Alagasamy
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Physics::Optics and light
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53671
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) are semiconductor lasers which emit light in the mid- to far-infrared range. They utilize intersubband transitions instead of interband transitions which provide them with many advantages over conventional semiconductor diodes. Their main feature is the ability to emit light in a wavelength that in unrelated to the semiconductor gain materials’ intrinsic properties such as the energy band gap. This combined with their emission wavelength range, makes them ideal for many applications. Particularly, trace gas or chemical sensing and even have potential for being harnessed for wireless high speed communications. Electrical and optical characterization of these devices is very important test if they perform as designed and also to figure out which applications they have potential for being used for.