Far and Mid IR Stimulated Emission in HgCdTe QW Heterostructures

Stimulated emission (SE) at wavelengths up to 24 μm (12.5 THz) and down to 2.8 μm is demonstrated from HgCdTe quantum well (QW) heterostructures. Non-radiative Auger recombination is show to be mitigated due to relativistic energy spectrum. Pump-probe carrier lifetime measurements show that further increase in SE wavelength is feasible up to 60 μm (5 THz). In the short wavelength range SE down to 2.8 μm is demonstrated at temperatures available with Peltier coolers.