In many precision sensing applications, the final detection sensitivity is tightly related to the intensity noise of the laser source, which might represent the ultimate limit to the sensor performance. In this framework, we present here the intensity noise characterization of three different mid-infrared semiconductor devices (two quantum cascade lasers and one interband cascade laser). A fast homemade balanced detection system is used to measure the intensity noise of the emitted radiation over a broad Fourier-frequency range, facilitating the observation of shot-noise-limited radiation under specific measurement conditions and detection efficiency. This study allows for a direct performance comparison of the most widespread laser sources in mid-infrared sensing systems.
In the race toward increasingly high-performance trace-molecule sensors, one of the most significant steps forward in the last decade for photoacoustic sensors was their combination with high-finesse optical cavities. Validated with different configurations, this technique demonstrated enhanced sensitivities below the part-per-trillion level (ppt) and record dynamic ranges. Here we present our advanced cantilever-based photoacoustic setup, based on a custom-made silicon cantilever embedded in a doubly-resonant configuration. The combination of a high-quality-factor acoustic resonator and a high-finesse optical cavity allows a final sensitivity enhancement by several orders of magnitude. The sensor was tested on strong N2O transitions around 4.5 μm wavelength with a continuous-wave quantum cascade laser.
Laser processing of polymeric materials by means of 100-mW class QCL lasers with emission wavelength of 7.728 and 4.329 μm were examined. Polymeric materials show absorption bands based on transitions between vibronic levels in mid-infrared (MIR) wavelength. Since such absorption bands are very sharp, resonant conditions with laser wavelength are critical. Quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a promising laser source for mid-infrared laser processing; emission wavelength can be customized by changing the heterostructure. In this work, we have employed 100-mW class QCLs and applied for focused irradiation at several polymeric materials, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM).
Thanks to their compactness and low-power consumption, Interband Cascade Lasers (ICLs) are emerging sources for mid-infrared (MIR) molecular sensing below 6 µm. Understanding their noise features is of fundamental importance for applications like high-sensitivity and high-resolution spectroscopy. It could unveil details of their intrinsic physical behavior and, similarly to what happened for Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), lead to the development of frequency and phase stabilization techniques for linewidth reduction. In this manuscript, we discuss the importance of full frequency noise characterization for ICLs, pointing out the main similarities and differences with respect to QCLs, and we show preliminary noise measurements. The frequency noise spectrum is analyzed and discussed, and the laser linewidth over different timescales calculated.
We investigated the potential of a compact and high-power quantum cascade laser (QCL) in the 5.7 μm wavelength range for less-invasive laser angioplasty. Atherosclerotic plaques consist mainly of cholesteryl esters. Radiation at a wavelength of 5.75 μm is strongly absorbed in C=O stretching vibration mode of cholesteryl esters. Our previous study achieved to make cutting differences between a normal artery and an atherosclerotic lesions using nanosecond pulsed laser by difference-frequency generation (DFG laser) at the wavelength of 5.75 μm. For applying this technique to clinical treatment, a compact laser device is required. In this study, QCL irradiation effects to a porcine normal aorta were compared with DFG laser. Subsequently, QCL irradiation effects on an atherosclerotic aorta of myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit (WHHLMI rabbit) and a normal rabbit aorta were observed. As a result, the QCL could make cutting differences between the rabbit atherosclerotic and normal aortas. On the other hand, the QCL induced more thermal damage to porcine normal aorta than the DFG laser at the irradiation condition of comparable ablation depths. In conclusion, the possibility of less-invasive and selective treatment of atherosclerotic plaques using the QCL in the 5.7 μm wavelength range was revealed, although improvement of QCL was required to prevent the thermal damage of a normal artery.
We evaluated the utility of a compact and high-power quantum cascade laser (QCL) in the 5.7 μm wavelength range for less-invasive laser angioplasty. Atherosclerotic plaques mainly consist of cholesteryl esters. The wavelength of 5.75 μm is well absorbed in C=O stretching vibration mode of cholesteryl esters. Our previous study achieved to make cutting differences between a normal tunica intima of an artery and an atherosclerotic lesions using a nanosecond pulsed laser by difference-frequency generation (DFG laser) at the wavelength of 5.75 μm. For realizing a clinical application of this technique, a compact laser device is required. In this study, QCL irradiation effects to a porcine normal aorta were compared with DFG laser. In addition QCL irradiation effects to an atherosclerotic aorta of myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit (WHHLMI rabbit) and a normal aorta were observed. As a result, the QCL could make cutting difference between the rabbit atherosclerotic aorta and the normal aorta. On the other hand, the QCL induced more thermal damage to porcine normal aorta than the DFG laser at the irradiation condition of comparable ablation depth. In conclusion, the possibility of less-invasive and selective treatment of atherosclerotic plaques using the QCL in the 5.7 μm wavelength range was revealed, although improvement of QCL was required to prevent the thermal damage of a normal artery.
We report a high performance operation of quantum cascade lasers based on Single Phonon-Continuum depopulation
(SPC) structures. The lasers exhibit low CW threshold current densities and high characteristic temperatures in the wide
wavelength range between 4.5 and 10.8 μm. An 8.2 μm laser, despite a bare ridge structure which is extremely simple
configuration without any intentional thermal dissipation equipments and any HR coatings, demonstrates the high device
performance: a low threshold current density of 1.66 kA/cm2 and a high maximum output power of 76 mW (from one
facet) at room temperature in CW operation. Our shortest wavelength 4.5 μm laser with HR coating reveals a low
threshold current density of 1.7 kA/cm2 and maximum output power of 161 mW at room temperature in CW operation.
For long wavelength, we present the first room temperature, CW operation of DFB QCL with top grating. The DFB laser
emits ~9.6 μm single mode spectra at temperatures between -5 °C and 50 °C. The wide tuning range is obtained to be
from 1031 to 1039 cm-1.
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