Room-temperature operation of GaAs-based quantum cascade lasers processed as ridge and microcavity waveguides

The performance of a GaAs-based superlattice quantum cascade laser is reported. Both the maximum operating temperature, 95(degree)C, and the peak power output, 300 mW at room temperature, exceed previous records of GaAs-based quantum cascade lasers. Various types of cavities were explored: conventional Fabry Perot cavities for maximum power output, narrow cavities for improved cooling, cylindrical cavities for potentially low threshold and single-mode distributed-feedback lasers for applications in spectroscopy.