QUANTUM CASCADE LASER WITH AUTONOMOUSLY ALIGNED EXTERNAL CAVITY AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

A quantum cascade laser (QCL) may include a QCL crystal having an emitting facet, and an active region adjacent the emitting facet, the emitting facet for providing an electromagnetic beam. The QCL may include an optical cavity comprising a mirror being external to the QCL crystal, and for redirecting the electromagnetic beam into the active region of the QCL crystal to provide optical feedback, and a driver circuit for driving the QCL crystal with a constant current. The QCL may include a controller coupled to the optical cavity and for dynamically and autonomously aligning the optical cavity based upon an error signal from the QCL crystal to maintain stable the optical feedback into the active region of the QCL crystal.

主权项

1. A quantum cascade laser (QCL) comprising:
a QCL crystal having at least one emitting facet, and an active region adjacent said at least one emitting facet, said at least one emitting facet for providing an electromagnetic beam; an optical cavity comprising at least one mirror being external to said QCL crystal, and for redirecting the electromagnetic beam into the active region of said QCL crystal to provide optical feedback; a driver circuit for driving said QCL crystal with a constant current; and a controller coupled to said optical cavity and for dynamically and autonomously aligning said optical cavity based upon at least one error signal from said QCL crystal to maintain stable the optical feedback in said active region of said QCL crystal.