Bound-to-continuum and two-phonon resonance quantum-cascade lasers for high duty cycle, high-temperature operation

Recent advances in quantum-cascade (QC) laser active-region design are reviewed. Based on a rate equation model of the active region, we show why new gain regions based on a two-phonon resonance or a bound-to-continuum transition exhibit significantly better performance than the traditional design based on a three-quantum-well active region. Threshold current densities as low as 3 kA/cm(2) at T = 300 K, operation with a peak power of 90 mW at 425 K, single-mode high-power operation up to temperatures above 330 K at lambda approximate to 16 mum and continuous wave operation up to T = 311 K are demonstrated. QC lasers able to operate at high duty cycles (50%) on a Peltier cooler were used in a demonstration of a 300-MHz free-space optical link between two buildings separated by 350 m.