New laser and detector structures for mid-infrared

The paper presents an overview of semiconductor laser and detector structures for the mid-infrared wavelength range (3-5 /spl mu/m). Recent progress in new laser systems are described : intersubband quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), interband "W" lasers, and interband quantum cascade lasers (ICLs). All these laser structures employing AlSb, InAs, GaSb and related alloys have the potentiality to reach the challenges of room temperature operation in continuous wave for modern applications. The description of detector structures is focussed on intersubband transition systems based on type-II InAs/GaSb superlattices or InSb/GaSb quantum dots.