title: Mid infrared quantum cascade laser operating in pure amplitude modulation for background-free trace gas spectroscopy.
abstract: We present a single mode multi-section quantum cascade laser source composed of three different sections: master oscillator, gain and phase section. Non-uniform pumping of the QCL's gain reveals that the various laser sections are strongly coupled. Simulations of the electronic and optical properties of the laser (based on the density matrix and scattering matrix formalisms, respectively) were performed and a good agreement with measurements is obtained. In particular, a pure modulation of the laser output power can be achieved. This capability of the device is applied in tunable-laser spectroscopy of N2O where background-free quartz enhanced photo acoustic spectral scans with nearly perfect Voigt line shapes for the selected absorption line are obtained.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bidaux
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bismuto
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patimisco
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sampaolo
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gresch
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Strubi
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blaser
authors.forename: Frank K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Tittel
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faist