Nonlinear Photonics in Mid-infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers


Book Description

This thesis presents the first comprehensive analysis of quantum cascade laser nonlinear dynamics and includes the first observation of a temporal chaotic behavior in quantum cascade lasers. It also provides the first analysis of optical instabilities in the mid-infrared range. Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers are unipolar semiconductor lasers, which have become widely used in applications such as gas spectroscopy, free-space communications or optical countermeasures. Applying external perturbations such as optical feedback or optical injection leads to a strong modification of the quantum cascade laser properties. Optical feedback impacts the static properties of mid-infrared Fabry–Perot and distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers, inducing power increase; threshold reduction; modification of the optical spectrum, which can become either single- or multimode; and enhanced beam quality in broad-area transverse multimode lasers. It also leads to a different dynamical behavior, and a quantum cascade laser subject to optical feedback can oscillate periodically or even become chaotic. A quantum cascade laser under external control could therefore be a source with enhanced properties for the usual mid-infrared applications, but could also address new applications such as tunable photonic oscillators, extreme events generators, chaotic Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), chaos-based secured communications or unpredictable countermeasures.




Solid-State Mid-Infrared Laser Sources


Book Description

The book describes the most advanced techniques for generating coherent light in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum. These techniques represent diverse areas of photonics and include heterojunction semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade lasers, tunable crystalline lasers, fiber lasers, Raman lasers, and optical parametric laser sources. Offering authoritative reviews by internationally recognized experts, the book provides a wealth of information on the essential principles and methods of the generation of coherent mid-infrared light and on some of its applications. The instructive nature of the book makes it an excellent text for physicists and practicing engineers who want to use mid-infrared laser sources in spectroscopy, medicine, remote sensing and other fields, and for researchers in various disciplines requiring a broad introduction to the subject.




Diode Lasers and Photonic Integrated Circuits


Book Description

Diode Lasers and Photonic Integrated Circuits, Second Edition provides a comprehensive treatment of optical communication technology, its principles and theory, treating students as well as experienced engineers to an in-depth exploration of this field. Diode lasers are still of significant importance in the areas of optical communication, storage, and sensing. Using the the same well received theoretical foundations of the first edition, the Second Edition now introduces timely updates in the technology and in focus of the book. After 15 years of development in the field, this book will offer brand new and updated material on GaN-based and quantum-dot lasers, photonic IC technology, detectors, modulators and SOAs, DVDs and storage, eye diagrams and BER concepts, and DFB lasers. Appendices will also be expanded to include quantum-dot issues and more on the relation between spontaneous emission and gain.




Mid-infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers for Chaos Secure Communications


Book Description

The mid-infrared domain is a promising optical domain because it holds two transparency atmospheric windows, as well as the fingerprint of many chemical compounds. Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are one of the available sources in this domain and have already been proven useful for spectroscopic applications and free-space communications. This thesis demonstrates how to implement a private free-space communication relying on mid-infrared optical chaos and this requires an accurate cartography of non-linear phenomena in quantum cascade lasers. This private transmission is made possible by the chaos synchronization of two twin QCLs. Chaos in QCLs can be generated under optical injection or external optical feedback. Depending on the parameters of the optical feedback, QCLs can exhibit several non-linear phenomena in addition to chaos. Similarities exist between QCLs and laser diodes when the chaotic dropouts are synchronized with an external modulation, and this effect is known as the entrainment phenomenon. With a cross-polarization reinjection technique, QCLs can generate all-optical square-waves. Eventually, it is possible to trigger optical extreme events in QCLs with tilted optical feedback. All these experimental results allow a better understanding of the non-linear dynamics of QCLs and will extend the potential applications of this kind of semiconductor lasers.




Laser-based Mid-infrared Sources and Applications


Book Description

An important guide to the major techniques for generating coherent light in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum Laser-based Mid-infrared Sources and Applications gives a comprehensive overview of the existing methods for generating coherent light in the important yet difficult-to-reach mid-infrared region of the spectrum (2–20 μm) and their applications. The book describes major approaches for mid-infrared light generation including ion-doped solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, semiconductor lasers, and laser sources based on nonlinear optical frequency conversion, and reviews a range of applications: spectral recognition of molecules and trace gas sensing, biomedical and military applications, high-field physics and attoscience, and others. Every chapter starts with the fundamentals for a given technique that enables self-directed study, while extensive references help conduct deeper research. Laser-based Mid-infrared Sources and Applications provides up-to-date information on the state-of the art mid-infrared sources, discusses in detail the advancements made over the last two decades such as microresonators and interband cascade lasers, and explores novel approaches that are currently subjects of intense research such as supercontinuum and frequency combs generation. This important book: • Explains the fundamental principles and major techniques for coherent mid-infrared light generation • Discusses recent advancements and current cutting-edge research in the field • Highlights important biomedical, environmental, and military applications Written for researchers, academics, students, and engineers from different disciplines, the book helps navigate the rapidly expanding field of mid-infrared laser-based technologies.




Mid-infrared Optoelectronics


Book Description

Mid-infrared Optoelectronics: Materials, Devices, and Applications addresses the new materials, devices and applications that have emerged over the last decade, along with exciting areas of research. Sections cover fundamentals, light sources, photodetectors, new approaches, and the application of mid-IR devices, with sections discussing LEDs, laser diodes, and quantum cascade lasers, mid-infrared optoelectronics, emerging research areas, dilute bismide and nitride alloys, Group-IV materials, gallium nitride heterostructures, and new nonlinear materials. Finally, the most relevant applications of mid-infrared devices are reviewed in industry, gas sensing, spectroscopy, and imaging. This book presents a key reference for materials scientists, engineers and professionals working in R&D in the area of semiconductors and optoelectronics. - Provides a comprehensive overview of mid-infrared photodetectors and light sources and the latest materials and devices - Reviews emerging areas of research in the field of mid-infrared optoelectronics, including new materials, such as wide bandgap materials, chalcogenides and new approaches, like heterogeneous integration - Includes information on the most relevant applications in industry, like gas sensing, spectroscopy and imaging




Handbook of Silicon Photonics


Book Description

The development of integrated silicon photonic circuits has recently been driven by the Internet and the push for high bandwidth as well as the need to reduce power dissipation induced by high data-rate signal transmission. To reach these goals, efficient passive and active silicon photonic devices, including waveguide, modulators, photodetectors,




Nonlinear Meta-Optics


Book Description

This book addresses fabrication as well as characterization and modeling of semiconductor nanostructures in the optical regime, with a focus on nonlinear effects. The visible range as well as near and far infrared spectral region will be considered with a view to different envisaged applications. The book covers the current key challenges of the research in the area, including: exploiting new material platforms, fully extending the device operation into the nonlinear regime, adding re-configurability to the envisaged devices and proposing new modeling tools to help in conceiving new functionalities. • Explores several topics in the field of semiconductor nonlinear nanophotonics, including fabrication, characterization and modeling of semiconductor nanostructures in the optical regime, with a focus on nonlinear effects • Describes the research challenges in the field of optical metasurfaces in the nonlinear regime • Reviews the use and achievements of all-dielectric nanoantennas for strengthening the nonlinear optical response • Describes both theoretical and experimental aspects of photonic devices based on semiconductor optical nanoantennas and metasurfaces • Gathers contributions from several leading groups in this research field to provide a thorough and complete overview of the current state of the art in the field of semiconductor nonlinear nanophotonics Costantino De Angelis has been full professor of electromagnetic fields at the University of Brescia since 1998. He is an OSA Fellow and has been responsible for several university research contracts in the last 20 years within Europe, the United States, and Italy. His technical interests are in optical antennas and nanophotonics. He is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. Giuseppe Leo has been a full professor in physics at Paris Diderot University since 2004, and in charge of the nonlinear devices group of MPQ Laboratory since 2006. His research areas include nonlinear optics, micro- and nano-photonics, and optoelectronics, with a focus on AlGaAs platform. He has coordinated several research programs and coauthored 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, 200 conference papers, 10 book chapters and also has four patents. Dragomir Neshev is a professor in physics and the leader of the experimental photonics group in the Nonlinear Physics Centre at Australian National University (ANU). His activities span over several branches of optics, including nonlinear periodic structures, singular optics, plasmonics, and photonic metamaterials. He has coauthored 200 publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.




Mid-Infrared and Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers


Book Description

Learn how the rapidly expanding area of mid-infrared and terahertz photonics has been revolutionized in this comprehensive overview. State-of-the-art practical applications are supported by real-life examples and expert guidance. Also featuring fundamental theory enabling you to improve performance of both existing and future devices.




MID-INFRARED FIBER PHOTONICS


Book Description

Mid-Infrared Fibre Photonics: Glass Materials, Fibre Fabrication and Processing, Laser Sources and Devicess combines the latest glass chemistry, fibre fabrication and post processing techniques to provide a comprehensive reference on the fundamental science and latest research in fibre photonics for the mid-infrared range. The book systematically reviews the key glass materials systems including fluorides, chalcogenides, and oxides. Each materials chapter includes discussion of composition, structure, thermal, optical and mechanical properties, extrinsic and intrinsic loss mechanisms, materials preparation and purification techniques. Then Mid-Infrared Fibre Photonics: Glass Materials, Fibre Fabrication and Processing, Laser Sources and Devicess covers the most relevant fabrication, post-processing, and spectroscopy techniques. Fibre sources are also addressed including fibre sources for continuous wave emission, pulsed emission, and broadband emission. The book concludes with a brief overview of important medical, sensing and defence applications. - Systematic coverage of the most relevant materials for mid-infrared fibre photonics including discussion of composition, structure, thermal, optical and mechanical properties, loss mechanisms, materials preparation and purification techniques - Reviews the key fabrication and processing techniques of mid-infrared fibre technologies - Addresses the important medical, sensing and defence applications