Two Wavelength Operation Of An Acousto-Optically Tuned Quantum Cascade Laser And Direct Measurements Of Quantum Cascade Laser Level Lifetimes

We report simultaneous two wavelength operation of an acousto-optically tuned quantum cascade laser (QCL). The two wavelengths can be independently tuned as well as independently switched, retaining the submicrosecond switching capability. In addition, we have used the two wavelength operation as a tool for the direct measure of the lifetimes of the lasing states in a practical QCL. The lifetime measurements in an operational QCL are facilitated by our ability to vary the frequency separation between two simultaneously lasing wavelengths. The measured lifetime is 0.6 ps ± 0.2 ps for our quantum cascade laser. The two wavelength operation of QCLs paves the way for time resolved pump/probe studies of infrared phenomena and provides direct insight into the effectiveness of various QCL structure designs