High duty-cycle (/spl ges/ 50%) operation of GaInAs/Al(Ga)AsSb quantum cascade lasers

This paper presents the operation and fabrication of GaInAs/Al(Ga)AsSb quantum cascade lasers. This article also focuses on the development of processing technology to enhance the heat removal from the active region of the lasers by depositing a thick gold layer on both sides of the laser ridge. Due to the improved heat removal devices emitting at around 4.9 /spl mu/m, the quantum cascade laser can be operated at high duty cycle (/spl ges/ 50%) up to a heat-sink temperature of 130 K.