Far-Infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers Operating in the AlAs Phonon Reststrahlen Band

We report on the operation of a double metal waveguide far-infrared quantum cascade laser emitting at 28 μm, corresponding to the AlAs-like phonon reststrahlen band. To avoid absorption by AlAs-like optical phonons, the Al-free group V alloy GaAs 0.51 Sb 0.49 is used as a barrier layer in the bound-to-continuum-based active region. Lasing occurs at a wavelength of 28.3 μm, which is the longest wavelength among the quantum cascade lasers operating from mid-infrared to far-infrared. The threshold current density at 50 K is 5.5 kA/cm 2, and maximum operation temperature is 175 K. We also discuss the feasibility that the operation wavelength can cover the whole spectral range bridging between mid-infrared and terahertz by choosing properly suited group III–V materials.