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Quantum-well lasers for direct solar photopumpingSemiconductor lasers directly photopumped by focused sunlight may be viable sources of coherent light for intersatellite communications and other low-power spaceborne applications. In this work, we theoretically explore the possibility of realizing such devices. We specifically assess solar pumped operation of separate-confinement-quantum-well heterostructure (SCQWH) lasers based on InGaAs, GaAs, and AlGaA, as fabrication technology for these lasers is mature and they can operate at very low thresholds. We develop a model for step-index single-well SCQWH lasers photopumped by sunlight, examine how threshold solar photoexcitation intensities depend upon material and structure parameters, design optimum structures for solar-pumped operation, and identify design tradeoffs. Our results suggest that laser action should be possible in properly designed structures at readily achievable solar concentrations and that optimum designs for solar-pumped SCQWH lasers differ significantly from those for analogous current injection devices.
Document ID
19940035811
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Unnikrishnan, Sreenath
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Anderson, Neal G.
(Massachusetts Univ. Amherst, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 15, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Applied Physics
Volume: 74
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0021-8979
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Accession Number
94A12466
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG1-1148
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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