Midinfrared vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

We report a type-II antimonide midinfrared vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The emission wavelength of 2.9 μm is nearly independent of temperature (dλ/dT≈0.07 nm/K) and the multimode linewidth is quite narrow (3.5 nm). The pulsed threshold power at 86 K is as low as 22 mW for a 30 μm spot. Lasing is observed up to T=280 K, and the peak output power from a 600 μm spot exceeds 2 W up to 260 K. The differential power conversion efficiency is >1% at 220 K.