An Overview on Quantum Cascade Lasers: Origins and Development [chapter]

Raul Pecharroman-Gallego
2017 Quantum Cascade Lasers  
This chapter presents an introductory review on quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). An overview is prefaced, including a brief description of their beginnings and operating basics. Materials used, as well as growth methods, are also described. The possibility of developing GaN-based QCLs is also shown. Summarizing, the applications of these structures cover a broad range, including spectroscopy, free-space communication, as well as applications to near-space radar and chemical/biological detection.
more » ... urthermore, a number of state-of-the-art applications are described in different fields, and finally a brief assessment of the possibilities of volume production and the overall state of the art in QCLs research are elaborated.
doi:10.5772/65003 fatcat:uyexish2jjg4zl7peg67w6xcq4