Wavelength tuning of InGaAs/GaAs laser diodes by the application of high hydrostatic pressure

Abstract

We show that InGaAs/GaAs quantum-well lasers emitting around 1000 nm can be wavelength tuned by applying high hydrostatic pressure (up to 20 kbar). Two types of devices have been studied: a commercial single-mode 50 mW laser emitting at 980 nm and the high-power laser grown by MBE at the Institute of Electron Technology emitting at 1010 nm. For both lasers the tuning range was close to 140 nm i.e. the 980 nm. laser can be tuned down to about 840 nm. Both the threshold currents and the quantum efficiencies remained constant throughout the whole tuning range. Pressure tuning might therefore be useful for diode-pumped solid-state lasers, which require pumping wavelengths in the 840-980 nm range.