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High-Temperature Diode and Optically-Pumped Mid-IR Lasers with Type-II Quantum Wells

W.W. Bewley, L.J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, C.L. Felix, E.H. Aifer, D.W. Stokes, J.R. Meyer, M.J. Yang, H. Lee, R.J. Menna, R.U. Martinelli, D.Z. Garbuzov, J.C. Connolly, M. Maiorov, A.R. Sugg and G.H. Olsen

While semiconductor diodes currently dominate the world market for near-IR lasers, longer-wavelength devices emitting beyond 3 μm have yet to achieve adequate performance levels. Practical mid-IR systems will ultimately require high-power non-cryogenic sources that operate either cw or quasi-cw with a high duty cycle. Key applications include chemical and biological detection, laser spectroscopy, laser surgery, and infrared countermeasures against heat-seeking missiles.