Quantum Cascade Lasers from Hamamatsu Photonics

Hamamatsu Photonics has produced a series of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), offering both continuous and pulsed output in the mid-infrared region, at room temperature.

This latest technology allows Hamamatsu to fabricate different QCLs with emission wavelengths tailored anywhere from 4.8 microns to 10.6 microns.

The current lineup already features high output power at room temperature, typically 10 to 50 mW, with a very narrow spectral linewidth of 0.02 nm.

The emission wavelength of the QCL can be altered with accurate control of the operating temperature and stabilized emission is realized by use of a thermoelectric cooler.

The latest QCL technology can be offered with either a FP (Fabry Perot) or DFB (Distributed Feed Back) laser structure, depending on the customer’s requirements.

The current lineup includes lasers in both HHL and TO-8 packages and there are a range of accessories available. These include; forced air and water cooled laser mounts, pulsed QCL drivers as well as ZnSe lenses and lens adaptors.

There are many emerging applications for QCLs including high-resolution spectroscopy systems for environmental sensing and pollution monitoring, breath analysis in medical diagnosis, industrial process control and security applications such as screening for plastic explosives.