An interband cascade laser based heterodyne detector with integrated optical amplifier and local oscillator

Author(s)

Sandro Dal Cin, Andreas Windischhofer, Florian Pilat, Michael Leskowschek, Vito F. Pecile, Mauro David, Maximilian Beiser, Robert Weih, Johannes Koeth, Georg Marschick, Borislav Hinkov, Gottfried Strasser, Oliver H. Heckl, Benedikt Schwarz

Abstract

Heterodyne detection based on interband cascade lasers (ICL) has been demonstrated in a wide range of different applications. However, it is still often limited to bulky tabletop systems using individual components such as dual laser setups, beam shaping elements, and discrete detectors. In this work, a versatile integrated ICL platform is investigated for tackling this issue. A RF-optimized, two-section ICL approach is employed, consisting of a short section typically used for efficient modulation of the cavity field and a long gain section. Such a laser is operated in reversed mode, with the entire Fabry–Pérot waveguide utilized as a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and the electrically separated short section as detector. Furthermore, a racetrack cavity is introduced as on-chip single-mode reference generator. The field of the racetrack cavity is coupled into the SOA waveguide via an 800 nm gap. By external injection of a single mode ICL operating at the appropriate wavelength, a heterodyne beating between the on-chip reference and the injected signal can be observed on the integrated detector section of the SOA-detector.

Organisation(s)

Faculty Center for Nano Structure Research

External organisation(s)

Technische Universität Wien, nanoplus Advanced Photonics Gerbrunn GmbH

Journal

Nanophotonics

Volume

13

Pages

1759-1764

No. of pages

6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2023-0762

Publication date

02-2024

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103011 Semiconductor physics, 103021 Optics

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biotechnology, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/9b09ae3f-ad65-44e2-9bd7-dc5be609bada