Pilat, F., Windischhofer, A., Beiser, M., Pecile, V. F., Gangrskaia, E., Pugžlys, A., Weih, R., Koeth, J., Baltuška, A., Heckl, O. H., & Schwarz, B. (2024). Fast Gain Dynamics in Interband Cascade Lasers. Laser & Photonics Reviews, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.202400867
interband cascade lasers; mid-infrared; optoelectronics; gain dynamics
en
Abstract:
Interband Cascade Lasers (ICL) have matured into a versatile technological platform in the mid-infrared spectral domain. To broaden their applicability even further, ongoing research pursues the emission of ultrashort pulses. The most promising approach is passive mode-locking with a fast saturable absorber. However, despite vast attempts no passive mode-locked ICL has been demonstrated up to date. In this study, pump-probe measurements are conducted on the ICL gain, demonstrating that ≈60–70% of its dynamic behavior is characterized by a rapid recovery time of 2 ps. The findings explain why passive mode-locking of ICLs has not succeeded so far, shedding a new light on ICL dynamics as strategies are proposed to overcome the current limitations.
CC BY 4.0
