Abstract: A broad area quantum cascade laser subject to having high order transverse optical modes during operation includes a laser cavity at least partially enclosed by walls, and a perturbation in the laser cavity extending from one or more of the walls. The perturbation may have a shape and a size sufficient to suppress high order transverse optical modes during operation of the broad area quantum cascade laser, whereby a fundamental transverse optical mode is selected over the high order transverse optical modes. As a result, the fundamental transverse mode operation in broad-area quantum cascade lasers can be regained, when it could not otherwise be without such a perturbation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2018
Assignee:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE