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Low power consumption lasers for next generation miniature optical spectrometers for trace gas analysis

  • S. Forouhar
  • , C. Frez
  • , K. J. Franz
  • , A. Ksendzov
  • , Y. Qiu
  • , K. A. Soibel
  • , J. Chen
  • , T. Hosoda
  • , G. Kipshidze
  • , L. Shterengas
  • , G. Belenky
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
  • Stony Brook University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The air quality of any manned spacecraft needs to be continuously monitored in order to safeguard the health of the crew. Air quality monitoring grows in importance as mission duration increases. Due to the small size, low power draw, and performance reliability, semiconductor laser-based instruments are viable candidates for this purpose. Achieving a minimum instrument size requires lasers with emission wavelength coinciding with the absorption of the fundamental absorption lines of the target gases, which are mostly in the 3.0-5.0 μm wavelength range. In this paper we report on our progress developing high wall plug efficiency type-I quantum-well GaSb-based diode lasers operating at room temperatures in the spectral region near 3.0-3.5 μm and quantum cascade (QC) lasers in the 4.0-5.0 μm range. These lasers will enable the development of miniature, low-power laser spectrometers for environmental monitoring of the spacecraft.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationQuantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices VIII
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
EventQuantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices VIII - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: Jan 23 2011Jan 27 2011

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7945
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceQuantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices VIII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period01/23/1101/27/11

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