On-chip integration and high-speed switching of multi-wavelength narrowband thermal emitters

We experimentally demonstrate the high-speed, on-chip wavelength switching of thermal emission in the mid-infrared region. Our device consists of multiple integrated thermal emitters of different colors, each of which is composed of quantum wells and a photonic crystal. On current injection, the device exhibits narrowband (Q > 70) thermal emission with low electric power consumption. By applying a reverse bias to each section of the device, we achieve high-speed (>kHz) switching of multiple thermal emission wavelengths, opening a route towards compact, highly efficient mid-infrared light sources for various sensing applications.