Cascade pumping of type-I quantum well gain sections was utilized to increase output power and efficiency of GaSb-based diode lasers operating in a spectral region from 1.9 to 3.3 μm. Carrier ...recycling between quantum well gain stages was realized using band-to-band tunneling in GaSb/AlSb/InAs heterostructure complemented with optimized electron and hole injector regions. Coated devices with an ~100-μm-wide aperture and a 3-mm-long cavity demonstrated continuous wave (CW) output power of 1.96 W near 2 μm, 980 mW near 3 μm, 500 mW near 3.18 μm, and 360 mW near 3.25 μm at 17–20 °C—a nearly or more than twofold increase compared to previous state-of-the-art diode lasers. The utilization of the different quantum wells in the cascade laser heterostructure was demonstrated to yield wide gain lasers, as often desired for tunable laser spectroscopy. Double-step etching was utilized to minimize both the internal optical loss and the lateral current spreading penalties in narrow-ridge lasers. Narrow-ridge cascade diode lasers operate in a CW regime with ~100 mW of output power near and above 3 μm and above 150 mW near 2 μm.
Hybrid integrated semiconductor laser sources offering extremely narrow spectral linewidth, as well as compatibility for embedding into integrated photonic circuits, are of high importance for a wide ...range of applications. We present an overview on our recently developed hybrid-integrated diode lasers with feedback from low-loss silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 in SiO 2 ) circuits, to provide sub-100-Hz-level intrinsic linewidths, up to 120 nm spectral coverage around a 1.55 μ m wavelength, and an output power above 100 mW. We show dual-wavelength operation, dual-gain operation, laser frequency comb generation, and present work towards realizing a visible-light hybrid integrated diode laser.
The article produces a brief review of some recent results which predict stable propagation of solitons and solitary vortices in models based on the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) including ...fractional one-dimensional or two-dimensional diffraction and cubic or cubic-quintic nonlinear terms, as well as linear potentials. The fractional diffraction is represented by fractional-order spatial derivatives of the Riesz type, defined in terms of the direct and inverse Fourier transform. In this form, it can be realized by spatial-domain light propagation in optical setups with a specially devised combination of mirrors, lenses, and phase masks. The results presented in the article were chiefly obtained in a numerical form. Some analytical findings are included too, in particular, for fast moving solitons and the results produced by the variational approximation. Moreover, dissipative solitons are briefly considered, which are governed by the fractional complex Ginzburg–Landau equation.
Organo lead halide perovskite materials like methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) and formamidinium lead iodide (HC(NH2)2PbI3) show superb opto-electronic properties. Based on these perovskite ...light absorbers, power conversion efficiencies of the perovskite solar cells employing hole transporting layers have increased from 9.7% to 20.1% within just three years. Thus, it is apparent that perovskite solar cell is a promising next generation photovoltaic technology. However, the unstable nature of perovskite was observed when exposing it to continuous illumination, moisture and high temperature, impeding the commercial development in the long run and thus becoming the main issue that needs to be solved urgently. Here, we discuss the factors affecting instability of perovskite and give some perspectives about further enhancement of stability of perovskite solar cell.
We review the history, development, design principles, experimental operating characteristics, and specialized architectures of interband cascade lasers for the mid-wave infrared spectral region. We ...discuss the present understanding of the mechanisms limiting the ICL performance and provide a perspective on the potential for future improvements. Such device properties as the threshold current and power densities, continuous-wave output power, and wall-plug efficiency are compared with those of the quantum cascade laser. Newer device classes such as ICL frequency combs, interband cascade vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, interband cascade LEDs, interband cascade detectors, and integrated ICLs are reviewed for the first time.
In this paper, we numerically demonstrate a two-layer circular lattice photonic crystal fiber (PCF) biosensor based on the principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The finite element method ...(FEM) with circular perfectly matched layer (PML) boundary condition is applied to evaluate the performance of the proposed sensor. A thin gold layer is deposited outside the PCF structure, which acts as the plasmonic material for this design. The sensing layer (analyte) is implemented in the outermost layer, which permits easy and more practical fabrication process compared to analyte is put inside the air holes. It is demonstrated that, at gold layer thickness of 40 nm, the proposed sensor shows maximum sensitivity of 2200 nm/RIU using the wavelength interrogation method in the sensing range between 1.33–1.36. Besides, using an amplitude interrogation method, a maximum sensitivity of 266 RIU−1 and a maximum sensor resolution of 3.75 × 10−5 RIU are obtained. We also discuss how phase matching points are varied with different fiber parameters. Owing to high sensitivity and simple design, the proposed sensor may find important applications in biochemical and biological analyte detection.
High-quality epitaxial layers are directly related to internal quantum efficiency. The methods used to design such epitaxial layers are reviewed in this article. The ultraviolet C (UVC) ...light-emitting diode (LED) epitaxial layer structure exhibits electron leakage; therefore, many research groups have proposed the design of blocking layers and carrier transportation to generate high electron–hole recombination rates. This also aids in increasing the internal quantum efficiency. The cap layer, p-GaN, exhibits high absorption in deep UV radiation; thus, a small thickness is usually chosen. Flip chip design is more popular for such devices in the UV band, and the main factors for consideration are light extraction and heat transportation. However, the choice of encapsulation materials is important, because unsuitable encapsulation materials will be degraded by ultraviolet light irradiation. A suitable package design can account for light extraction and heat transportation. Finally, an atomic layer deposition Al2O3 film has been proposed as a mesa passivation layer. It can provide a low reverse current leakage. Moreover, it can help increase the quantum efficiency, enhance the moisture resistance, and improve reliability. UVC LED applications can be used in sterilization, water purification, air purification, and medical and military fields.
The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials has led to tremendous interest in the study of graphene and a series of mono- and few-layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Among these ...TMDCs, the study of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has gained increasing attention due to its promising optical, electronic, and optoelectronic properties. Of particular interest is the indirect to direct band-gap transition from bulk and few-layered structures to mono-layered MoS2, respectively. In this review, the study of these properties is summarized. The use of Raman and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy of MoS2 has become a reliable technique for differentiating the number of molecular layers in 2D MoS2.
In-fiber interferometric-based sensors are a rapidly growing field, as these sensors exhibit many desirable characteristics compared to their regular fiber-optic counterparts and are being ...implemented in many promising devices. These sensors have the capability to make extremely accurate measurements on a variety of physical or chemical quantities such as refractive index, temperature, pressure, curvature, concentration, etc. This article is a comprehensive overview of the different types of in-fiber interferometric sensors that presents and discusses recent developments in the field. Basic configurations, a brief approach of the operating principle and recent applications are introduced for each interferometric architecture, making it easy to compare them and select the most appropriate one for the application at hand.
Next to cancer, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia is probably the most worrying health problem facing the Western world today. A large number of clinical trials have failed to show any benefit of ...the tested drugs in stabilizing or reversing the steady decline in cognitive function that is suffered by dementia patients. Although the pathological features of AD consisting of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles are well established, considerable debate exists concerning the genetic or lifestyle factors that predispose individuals to developing dementia. Photobiomodulation (PBM) describes the therapeutic use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain and inflammation, and prevent tissue from dying. In recent years PBM has been applied for a diverse range of brain disorders, frequently applied in a non-invasive manner by shining light on the head (transcranial PBM). The present review discusses the mechanisms of action of tPBM in the brain, and summarizes studies that have used tPBM to treat animal models of AD. The results of a limited number of clinical trials that have used tPBM to treat patients with AD and dementia are discussed.