RAP opportunity at Naval Research Laboratory NRL
Infrared Semiconductor Lasers and Detectors
Location
Naval Research Laboratory, DC, Optical Sciences
opportunity |
location |
|
64.15.67.B3978 |
Washington, DC 203755321 |
Advisers
name |
email |
phone |
|
Jerry Richard Meyer |
jerry.r.meyer.civ@us.navy.mil |
202.374.8732 |
Igor Vurgaftman |
igor.vurgaftman.civ@us.navy.mil |
202.404.8604 |
Description
We are developing new classes of infrared (IR) lasers and detectors capable of enhanced performance, with emphasis on wavelengths in the range 3-25 μm. These lasers include type-II antimonide interband cascade lasers, “W” lasers, quantum cascade lasers, mid-IR vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, distributed feedback lasers, photonic crystal distributed feedback lasers, and plasmonic lasers. Detailed band structure, optical, and transport simulations are used to optimize the device designs prior to growth and fabrication of each laser structure. High quality growth is done on GaSb and InP substrates in two in-house molecular beam epitaxy systems. Device processing includes e-beam and optical lightography, reactive ion and wet chemical etching, facet coating, sputtering, thermal evaporation, e-beam deposition, gold electro-plating, and epitaxial-side-down mounting. Laser characterization facilities include pulsed and cw optical pumping sources at a variety of wavelengths, pulse generators, IR detectors and spectrometers, FTIR, IR cameras signal averagers, beam analyzers, and dedicated computers for full automation of the data acquisition. Fundamental properties of laser materials are studied, including QW band structure, Auger recombination rate, internal loss and efficiency, linewidth enhancement factor, optical mode properties, far-field profiling, and thermal transport. Primary research objectives are to develop mid-IR laser sources that produce high cw output powers and/or single mode spectral purity at ambient or thermoelectric-cooler temperatures, and IR detectors with high dynamic resistance-area products. NRL interband cascade lasers are now the leading low-input-power semiconductor sources for wavelengths in the 3-5 micron spectral band.
key words
Diode laser; Infrared detector; Interband cascade laser; Mid-IR; Molecular beam epitaxy; Photonic crystal laser; Quantum cascade laser; Type-II quantum well; W laser;
Eligibility
Citizenship:
Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Level:
Open to Postdoctoral applicants
Stipend
Base Stipend |
Travel Allotment |
Supplementation |
|
$99,200.00 |
$3,000.00 |
|
|
Additional Benefits
Relocation
Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.
Health insurance
A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.