Weakly index-guided interband cascade lasers with no grown top cladding layer or a thin top cladding layer

US9960571B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Jerry R. Meyer · Catonsville, US
• Igor Vurgaftman · Pikesville, US
• Chadwick Lawrence Canedy · Washington, US
• William W. Bewley · Falls Church, US
• Chul Soo Kim · Springfield, US
• Charles D. Merritt · Fairfax, US
• Michael V. Warren · Arlington, US
• Mijin Kim · Suwon-si, KR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2017
• Grant date: May 1, 2018
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S5/2031
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Novel ICL layering designs, ridge waveguide architectures, and processing protocols that will significantly lower the optical losses and improve the power conversion efficiencies of interband cascade lasers designed for both DFB single-mode and high-power applications. The semiconductor top cladding and metal contact layers are eliminated or significantly reduced. By instead using a dielectric or air top clad, or dielectric or air layers to supplement a thin top clad, in conjunction with lateral current injection and weak index-guiding, the present invention will substantially reduce the internal loss of such ICLs, resulting in lower lasing threshold, higher efficiency, and higher maximum power.