Long Wavelength Infrared Semiconductor Lasers

Long-wavelength Infrared Semiconductor Lasers provides a comprehensive review of the current status of semiconductor coherent sources emitting in the mid-to far-infrared spectrum and their applications. It includes three topics not covered in any previous book: far-infrared emission from photo-mixers as well as from hot-hole lasers, and InP-based lasers emitting beyond two micrometers. Semiconductor lasers emitting at more than two micrometers have many applications such as in trace gas analysis, environmental monitoring, and industrial process control. Because of very rapid progress in recent years, until this book no comprehensive information beyond scattered journal articles is available at present.

Since its invention in 1962, the semiconductor laser has come a long way. Advances in material purity and epitaxial growth techniques have led to a variety of semiconductor lasers covering a wide wavelength range of 0. 3- 100 ILm. The development during the 1970s of GaAs semiconductor lasers, emitting in the near-infrared region of 0. 8--0. 9 ILm, resulted in their use for the first generation of optical fiber communication systems. However, to take advantage of low losses in silica fibers occurring around 1. 3 and 1. 55 ILm, the emphasis soon shifted toward long-wavelength semiconductor lasers. The material system of choice in this wavelength range has been the quaternary alloy InGaAsP. During the last five years or so, the intense development effort devoted to InGaAsP lasers has resulted in a technology mature enough that lightwave transmission systems using InGaAsP lasers are currently being deployed throughout the world. This book is intended to provide a comprehensive account of long-wave length semiconductor lasers. Particular attention is paid to InGaAsP lasers, although we also consider semiconductor lasers operating at longer wave lengths. The objective is to provide an up-to-date understanding of semicon ductor lasers while incorporating recent research results that are not yet available in the book form. Although InGaAsP lasers are often used as an example, the basic concepts discussed in this text apply to all semiconductor lasers, irrespective of their wavelengths.

Since its invention in 1962, the semiconductor laser has come a long way. Advances in material purity and epitaxial growth techniques have led to a variety of semiconductor lasers covering a wide wavelength range of 0. 3- 100 ILm. The development during the 1970s of GaAs semiconductor lasers, emitting in the near-infrared region of 0. 8--0. 9 ILm, resulted in their use for the first generation of optical fiber communication systems. However, to take advantage of low losses in silica fibers occurring around 1. 3 and 1. 55 ILm, the emphasis soon shifted toward long-wavelength semiconductor lasers. The material system of choice in this wavelength range has been the quaternary alloy InGaAsP. During the last five years or so, the intense development effort devoted to InGaAsP lasers has resulted in a technology mature enough that lightwave transmission systems using InGaAsP lasers are currently being deployed throughout the world. This book is intended to provide a comprehensive account of long-wave length semiconductor lasers. Particular attention is paid to InGaAsP lasers, although we also consider semiconductor lasers operating at longer wave lengths. The objective is to provide an up-to-date understanding of semicon ductor lasers while incorporating recent research results that are not yet available in the book form. Although InGaAsP lasers are often used as an example, the basic concepts discussed in this text apply to all semiconductor lasers, irrespective of their wavelengths.

This book offers a thorough survey of long wavelength infrared semiconductor emitters based primarily on quantum wells and superlattices. Featuring contributions from the most prominent researchers in the field, this volume allows readers to compare different types of lasers as well as examine investigations of potential far-infrared/terrahertz sources. This is an essential reference for researchers, engineers and graduate students who wish to obtain comprehensive knowledge about infrared semiconductor sources and recent developments in this field.

Since its invention in 1962, the semiconductor laser has come a long way. Advances in material purity and epitaxial growth techniques have led to a variety of semiconductor lasers covering a wide wavelength range of 0. 3- 100 ~m. The development during the 1970s of GaAs semiconductor lasers, emitting in the near-infrared region of 0. 8-0. 9 ~m, resulted in their use for the first generation of optical fiber communication systems. However, to take advantage oflow losses in silica fibers occurring around 1. 3 and 1. 55 ~m, the emphasis soon shifted toward long-wavelength semiconductor lasers. The material system of choice in this wavelength range has been the quaternary alloy InGaAsP. During the last five years or so, the intense development effort devoted to InGaAsP lasers has resulted in a technology mature enough that lightwave transmission systems using InGaAsP lasers are currently being deployed throughout the world. This book is intended to provide a comprehensive account of long-wave length semiconductor lasers. Particular attention is paid to InGaAsP lasers, although we also consider semiconductor lasers operating at longer wave lengths. The objective is to provide an up-to-date understanding of semicon ductor lasers while incorporating recent research results that are not yet available in the book form. Although InGaAsP lasers are often used as an example, the basic concepts discussed in this text apply to all semiconductor lasers, irrespective of their wavelengths.

Since its inception in 1966, the series of numbered volumes known as Semiconductors and Semimetals has distinguished itself through the careful selection of well-known authors, editors, and contributors. The "Willardson and Beer" Series, as it is widely known, has succeeded in publishing numerous landmark volumes and chapters. Not only did many of these volumes make an impact at the time of their publication, but they continue to be well-cited years after their original release. Recently, Professor Eicke R. Weber of the University of California at Berkeley joined as a co-editor of the series.

A practical book with a variety of uses, this book can help applications engineers spark problem-solving techniques through the use of lasers. Industrial Application of Lasers, Second Edition takes the reader through laser fundamentals, unusual properties of laser light, types of practical lasers available, and commonly used accessory equipment. The book also applies this information to existing and developing applications. Current uses of lasers, including laser welding and cutting, electronic fabrication techniques, lightwave communications, laser-based applications in alignment, surveying, and metrology are all covered as well as discussing the potential for future applications such as all-optical computers,remote environmental monitoring, and laser-assisted thermonuclear fusion. Explains basic laser fundamentals as well as emphasizing how lasers are used for real applications in industry Describes the importance of laser safety Discusses potentially important future applications such as remote environmental monitoring Includes rare expert lore and opinion