InAs quantum dash lasers for 2-μm photonics

The 2 μm spectral window is a host of a variety of applications in communication and sensing. However, the development of nanoscale emitters for this window has largely stagnated. Here, we present our growth, fabrication, and testing of InAs quantum dash (Qdash) lasers on InP for 2 μm photonics. The samples were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Ridge waveguide lasers emitted at 1.97 μm, coinciding with the ground-state emission from the Qdash ensemble. A low threshold current density of 131 A/cm² per Qdash layer was calculated under pulsed mode conditions. Good thermal stability was observed up to 50 °C, with a characteristic temperature of 44 K. InAs Qdash on InP is promising 0D laser gain materials for 2 μm communication and sensing.