Roselectronics is currently developing 2–5 μm semiconductor IR quantum-cascade lasers. The technology will be used for the selective destruction of tumor cells and for wound care, as well as in optical and space communication, high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, and highly sensitive spectral gas analysis.
Semiconductor IR quantum-cascade lasers will be widely used in medicine, first of all, in order to improve the accuracy of disease diagnostics, as well as for the selective destruction of tumor cells and wound care. In addition, they can also be used in optical and space communication, high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, and highly sensitive spectral gas analysis, in particular, for volcanology, discharge control and in high-rate processes.
«Presently, we are at the fundamental development stage, so we have chosen the applicable area the technology is worth developing in, in regards to the prospective demand," Igor Kozlov, CEO for Roselectronics, said. According to his version, it is too early to speak of certain release dates.
The creation of IR lasers effectively operating at room temperature on a continuous basis is difficult due to the noticeably dominant processes of the nonradiative recombination of nonequilibrium carriers over the radiative recombination process. In addition, IR lasers consume a lot of power due to the intraband radiation absorption.
To solve these challenges, two concepts of IR lasers are being proposed: quantum-cascade intersubband lasers, as well as intraband semiconductor heterostructure quantum-well and superlattice lasers.
Quantum-cascade lasers are layered heterostructures consisting of active areas with photon emissions and injection areas, wherethrough the carriers pass to the next active area.
Source: http://rostec.ru/en/news/4519138
