Enhanced CW performance of the interband cascade laser using improved device fabrication

Continuous-wave (CW) operation of a mid-infrared type-II interband cascade (IC) laser has been demonstrated at temperatures up to 142 K by improving device processing and fabrication. Also, the IC laser exhibited record-high wall-plug efficiencies (/spl sim/18% at 60 K) with considerable CW output powers. An analysis of the thermal resistance partially explains the still low maximum CW operating temperature and suggests further potential for improvement with continued development of fabrication/packaging techniques.