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Mode-locked short pulses from an 8 μm wavelength semiconductor laser

Author

Listed:
  • Johannes Hillbrand

    (TU Wien, Guß
    Harvard University)

  • Nikola Opačak

    (TU Wien, Guß)

  • Marco Piccardo

    (Harvard University
    CNST - Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)

  • Harald Schneider

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf)

  • Gottfried Strasser

    (TU Wien, Guß)

  • Federico Capasso

    (Harvard University)

  • Benedikt Schwarz

    (TU Wien, Guß
    Harvard University)

Abstract

Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) have revolutionized the generation of mid-infrared light. Yet, the ultrafast carrier transport in mid-infrared QCLs has so far constituted a seemingly insurmountable obstacle for the formation of ultrashort light pulses. Here, we demonstrate that careful quantum design of the gain medium and control over the intermode beat synchronization enable transform-limited picosecond pulses from QCL frequency combs. Both an interferometric radio-frequency technique and second-order autocorrelation shed light on the pulse dynamics and confirm that mode-locked operation is achieved from threshold to rollover current. Furthermore, we show that both anti-phase and in-phase synchronized states exist in QCLs. Being electrically pumped and compact, mode-locked QCLs pave the way towards monolithically integrated non-linear photonics in the molecular fingerprint region beyond 6 μm wavelength.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Hillbrand & Nikola Opačak & Marco Piccardo & Harald Schneider & Gottfried Strasser & Federico Capasso & Benedikt Schwarz, 2020. "Mode-locked short pulses from an 8 μm wavelength semiconductor laser," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-19592-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19592-1
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