Tapered Quantum Cascade Laser Achieving Low Divergence Angle and High Output Power

In this work, we present a high-performance tapered quantum cascade laser (QCL) designed to achieve both high output power and low divergence angle. By integrating a tapered waveguide with a Fabry-Perot structure, significant improvements of tapered QCL devices in both output power and beam quality are demonstrated. The optimized 50 µm wide tapered QCL achieved a maximum output power of 2.76 W in pulsed operation with a slope efficiency of 3.52 W/A and a wall-plug efficiency (WPE) of 16.2%, while reducing the divergence angle to 13.01°. The device maintained a maximum power of 1.34 W with a WPE exceeding 8.2%, measured under room temperature and continuous wave (CW) operation. Compared to non-tapered Fabry-Perot QCLs, the tapered devices exhibited a nearly 10-fold increase in output power and over 200% improvement in WPE. This work provides a promising pathway for advancing mid-infrared laser technology, particularly for applications requiring high power, low divergence, and temperature stability.

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Publication Details

Journal
Sensors
Published
2025-07-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154572
Primary Topic
Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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Tapered Quantum Cascade Laser Achieving Low Divergence Angle and High Output Power

Jiahao Chen, Zizhuo Liu, Hao Xu, Yongqiang Sun et al.
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Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
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Tapered Quantum Cascade Laser Achieving Low Divergence Angle and High Output Power

Jiahao Chen, Zizhuo Liu, Hao Xu, Yongqiang Sun, Anlan Chen, Jiang Wu, Changlei Wu, Fengqi Liu, Hui Su, Hongxiao Li, Jinchuan Zhang, Shan Niu, Xingli Zhong
article en

Abstract

In this work, we present a high-performance tapered quantum cascade laser (QCL) designed to achieve both high output power and low divergence angle. By integrating a tapered waveguide with a Fabry-Perot structure, significant improvements of tapered QCL devices in both output power and beam quality are demonstrated. The optimized 50 µm wide tapered QCL achieved a maximum output power of 2.76 W in pulsed operation with a slope efficiency of 3.52 W/A and a wall-plug efficiency (WPE) of 16.2%, while reducing the divergence angle to 13.01°. The device maintained a maximum power of 1.34 W with a WPE exceeding 8.2%, measured under room temperature and continuous wave (CW) operation. Compared to non-tapered Fabry-Perot QCLs, the tapered devices exhibited a nearly 10-fold increase in output power and over 200% improvement in WPE. This work provides a promising pathway for advancing mid-infrared laser technology, particularly for applications requiring high power, low divergence, and temperature stability.

SensorsVol. 25(15)
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Zhengzhou University (CN), Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (CN), National Engineering Research Center of Electromagnetic Radiation Control Materials (CN), Institute of Semiconductors (CN)
National Key Research and Development Program of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
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