High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors

Stephen M. Johnson; Emily Dial; M. Razeghi

doi:10.1117/12.2548348

High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors

Stephen M. Johnson, Emily Dial, M. Razeghi

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Free-space optical communications (FSOC) is a promising avenue for point-to-point, high-bandwidth, and high-security communication links. It has the potential to solve the "last mile" problem modern communication systems face, allowing for high-speed communication links without the expensive and expansive infrastructure required by fiber optic and wireless technologies ¹. Although commercial FSOC systems currently exist, due to their operation in the near infrared and short infrared ranges, they are necessarily limited by atmospheric absorption and scattering losses ². Mid-infrared (MWIR) wavelengths are desirable for free space communications systems because they have lower atmospheric scattering losses compared to near-infrared communication links. This leads to increased range and link uptimes. Since this portion of the EM spectrum is unlicensed, link establishment can be implemented quickly. Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are ideal FSOC transmitters because their emission wavelength is adjustable to MWIR ³. Compared to the typical VCSEL and laser diodes used in commercial NIR and SWIR FSOC systems, however, they require increased threshold and modulation currents ⁴. Receivers based on type-II superlattice (T2SL) detectors are desired in FSOC for their low dark current, high temperature operation, and band gap tunable to MWIR ⁵. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of a high-speed FSOC system using a QCL and a T2SL detector.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII
Editors	Manijeh Razeghi, Jay S. Lewis, Giti A. Khodaparast, Pedram Khalili
Publisher	SPIE
ISBN (Electronic)	9781510633391
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2548348
State	Published - 2020
Event	Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII 2020 - San Francisco, United States Duration: Feb 2 2020 → Feb 6 2020

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	11288
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)	1996-756X

Conference

Conference	Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII 2020
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Francisco
Period	2/2/20 → 2/6/20

Funding

This work is supported by the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Keywords

Free space communications
Mid-infrared
Photodetector
Quantum cascade laser
Room temperature
Superlattices
Type-II

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Condensed Matter Physics
Computer Science Applications
Applied Mathematics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Access to Document

10.1117/12.2548348

Cite this

Johnson, S. M., Dial, E., & Razeghi, M. (2020). High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors. In M. Razeghi, J. S. Lewis, G. A. Khodaparast, & P. Khalili (Eds.), Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII Article 1128814 (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 11288). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2548348

Johnson, Stephen M. ; Dial, Emily ; Razeghi, M. / High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors. Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII. editor / Manijeh Razeghi ; Jay S. Lewis ; Giti A. Khodaparast ; Pedram Khalili. SPIE, 2020. (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering).

@inproceedings{570a2177465c486096b770380ad4756f,

title = "High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors",

abstract = "Free-space optical communications (FSOC) is a promising avenue for point-to-point, high-bandwidth, and high-security communication links. It has the potential to solve the {"}last mile{"} problem modern communication systems face, allowing for high-speed communication links without the expensive and expansive infrastructure required by fiber optic and wireless technologies 1. Although commercial FSOC systems currently exist, due to their operation in the near infrared and short infrared ranges, they are necessarily limited by atmospheric absorption and scattering losses 2. Mid-infrared (MWIR) wavelengths are desirable for free space communications systems because they have lower atmospheric scattering losses compared to near-infrared communication links. This leads to increased range and link uptimes. Since this portion of the EM spectrum is unlicensed, link establishment can be implemented quickly. Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are ideal FSOC transmitters because their emission wavelength is adjustable to MWIR 3. Compared to the typical VCSEL and laser diodes used in commercial NIR and SWIR FSOC systems, however, they require increased threshold and modulation currents 4. Receivers based on type-II superlattice (T2SL) detectors are desired in FSOC for their low dark current, high temperature operation, and band gap tunable to MWIR 5. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of a high-speed FSOC system using a QCL and a T2SL detector.",

keywords = "Free space communications, Mid-infrared, Photodetector, Quantum cascade laser, Room temperature, Superlattices, Type-II",

author = "Johnson, {Stephen M.} and Emily Dial and M. Razeghi",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 SPIE.; Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII 2020 ; Conference date: 02-02-2020 Through 06-02-2020",

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Johnson, SM, Dial, E & Razeghi, M 2020, High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors. in M Razeghi, JS Lewis, GA Khodaparast & P Khalili (eds), Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII., 1128814, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, vol. 11288, SPIE, Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII 2020, San Francisco, United States, 2/2/20. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2548348

High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors. / Johnson, Stephen M.; Dial, Emily; Razeghi, M.
Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII. ed. / Manijeh Razeghi; Jay S. Lewis; Giti A. Khodaparast; Pedram Khalili. SPIE, 2020. 1128814 (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 11288).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors

AU - Johnson, Stephen M.

AU - Dial, Emily

AU - Razeghi, M.

PY - 2020

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N2 - Free-space optical communications (FSOC) is a promising avenue for point-to-point, high-bandwidth, and high-security communication links. It has the potential to solve the "last mile" problem modern communication systems face, allowing for high-speed communication links without the expensive and expansive infrastructure required by fiber optic and wireless technologies 1. Although commercial FSOC systems currently exist, due to their operation in the near infrared and short infrared ranges, they are necessarily limited by atmospheric absorption and scattering losses 2. Mid-infrared (MWIR) wavelengths are desirable for free space communications systems because they have lower atmospheric scattering losses compared to near-infrared communication links. This leads to increased range and link uptimes. Since this portion of the EM spectrum is unlicensed, link establishment can be implemented quickly. Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are ideal FSOC transmitters because their emission wavelength is adjustable to MWIR 3. Compared to the typical VCSEL and laser diodes used in commercial NIR and SWIR FSOC systems, however, they require increased threshold and modulation currents 4. Receivers based on type-II superlattice (T2SL) detectors are desired in FSOC for their low dark current, high temperature operation, and band gap tunable to MWIR 5. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of a high-speed FSOC system using a QCL and a T2SL detector.

AB - Free-space optical communications (FSOC) is a promising avenue for point-to-point, high-bandwidth, and high-security communication links. It has the potential to solve the "last mile" problem modern communication systems face, allowing for high-speed communication links without the expensive and expansive infrastructure required by fiber optic and wireless technologies 1. Although commercial FSOC systems currently exist, due to their operation in the near infrared and short infrared ranges, they are necessarily limited by atmospheric absorption and scattering losses 2. Mid-infrared (MWIR) wavelengths are desirable for free space communications systems because they have lower atmospheric scattering losses compared to near-infrared communication links. This leads to increased range and link uptimes. Since this portion of the EM spectrum is unlicensed, link establishment can be implemented quickly. Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are ideal FSOC transmitters because their emission wavelength is adjustable to MWIR 3. Compared to the typical VCSEL and laser diodes used in commercial NIR and SWIR FSOC systems, however, they require increased threshold and modulation currents 4. Receivers based on type-II superlattice (T2SL) detectors are desired in FSOC for their low dark current, high temperature operation, and band gap tunable to MWIR 5. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of a high-speed FSOC system using a QCL and a T2SL detector.

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Johnson SM, Dial E, Razeghi M. High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors. In Razeghi M, Lewis JS, Khodaparast GA, Khalili P, editors, Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XVII. SPIE. 2020. 1128814. (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering). doi: 10.1117/12.2548348

High-speed free space optical communications based on quantum cascade lasers and type-II superlattice detectors

Abstract

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Keywords

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