Distributed Feedback Mid-IR Interband Cascade Lasers at Thermoelectric Cooler Temperatures

Continuous wave (CW) operation of single-mode distributed feedback interband cascade (IC) lasers has been demonstrated at temperatures up to 261 K near ~3.3 m with side-mode-suppression ratio greater than 20 dB. The electrical power consumption is less than 1.1 W over the entire operating range, which enables CW operation using only thermoelectric cooling from ambient temperatures.