High-power long-wavelength (/spl lambda//spl sim/11.5 μm) quantum cascade lasers operating above room temperature

High-temperature operation (T=320 K) of quantum cascade lasers has been extended to 11.5-μm wavelengths with high performances. Peak-pulsed optical power of 55 mW is obtained at 300 K with a high T
₀
=172 K, in good agreement with our theoretical model.