Quantum Cascade Lasers: the quantum technology for semiconductor lasers in the mid-far-infrared

The quantum cascade laser is a new light source based on resonant tunnelling and optical transitions between quantised conduction band states. In these semiconductor devices the principles of operation arise from the quantum engineering of electronic energy levels and tailoring of their wavefunctions. In recent years the performance of these devices has improved markedly and this semiconductor technology is now an attractive choice for the fabrication of mid-far infrared lasers in a very wide spectral range (3–80 μm). At present, quantum cascade lasers are capable of continuous-wave room temperature operation and can deliver 200–300 mW of average power (at λ∼9 μm) operating on a Peltier cooler. To cite this article: C. Sirtori, J. Nagle, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).