Indirect pump scheme for quantum cascade lasers: dynamics of electron-transport and very high T0-values.

An alternative pump scheme, named indirect pump one is proposed to clarify its own feasibility. The high device performances of 8 microm quantum cascade lasers with cavity lengths of 4 mm and 1.5 mm are demonstrated: low threshold current densities of 2.7 and 3.3 kA/cm2 and maximum output powers of 362 and 50 mW at room temperature, and high T0-values of 243 and 303 K around room temperature. The higher T0-value, 303 K is the highest record ever reported with quantum cascade lasers. The high stability for temperature changes is interpreted in terms of the indirect pumping model. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America