Patent ID: 6400744
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B82Y,H01S

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising a quantum cascade, distributed feedback laser having lower and upper cladding regions and a core region, said regions collectively adapted to guide at least one mode of laser radiation, wherein:(a) the upper cladding region includes a layer, denominated the plasmon-enhanced confinement layer (PECL), that overlies at least one further layer of the upper cladding region and adjacently underlies a metallic electrode; (b) a grating structure is formed as a series of grooves in the PECL; (c) the PECL is conformed such that during laser operation, the amplitude of the guided laser mode is relatively enhanced within first portions of the upper cladding region underlying said grooves but is relatively suppressed within second portions of the upper cladding region lying between said first portions, said enhancement and suppression resulting in a modulation of the guided laser mode; and (d) said modulation is strong enough to facilitate single-mode cw laser operation.