Page 280 - Handbook of Lasers

Semiconductor lasers are divided by material type and listed in Tables 1.5.1–1.5.8. The
lasers are furthered grouped by the method of excitation (injection, optically pumped,
electron beam pumped). Quantum cascade and intersubband lasers are listed in a separate
table (Table 1.5.9). Vertical cavity lasers are also listed in a separate table (Table 1.5.10).
The tables include the lasing material, wavelength, structure, operating mode, temperature,
and primary references. For lasers that have been tuned over a range of wavelengths, the
tuning range given is that for the configuration and conditions used and may not represent
the extremes possible. The lasing wavelength and output of semiconductor lasers depend on
the chemical composition of the material, structural configuration, optical cavity,
temperature, excitation rate, and other operating conditions. The original references should
therefore be consulted for this information and its effect on the laser performance.

Because it is possible to vary the constituent elements and tailor the laser emission, the
wavelength of semiconductor lasers is a less fundamental property than for other lasers
involving transitions between specific atomic levels. Thus the tabulations generally include
early pioneering papers and representative examples of different structures, preparation
methods, and operating conditions rather than an exhaustive listing of all reported lasers.

The wavelength ranges of various types of semiconductor lasers are shown in Figure
1.5.2. The wavelength of quantum cascade lasers, unlike that of diode lasers, is determined
by the active layer thickness rather than the band gap of the material. Multiple quantum well
cascade lasers have been tailored to operate in the range ~3-17 mm, thereby extending the
range of III-V compound lasers.

Only inorganic semiconducting materials are listed in this section. Dye-doped organic
semiconductor lasers are included in Section 1.3; semiconducting polymer lasers are covered
in Section 1.6. Commercial lasers are covered in Section 1.5.12.

Nitrides
II-VI Compounds

III-V Compounds

III-V Antimonides
Mercury II-VI Compounds
IV-VI Lead Compounds

Ge Intervalence Band

0.3 3.0 300
0.1 1.0 10 30 100
Wavelength ( mm)

Figure 1.5.2 Reported ranges of output wavelengths of various types of semiconductor lasers.
Quantum cascade lasers are included among the III-V compound lasers.

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