Biomedical subjects

Rüdeger Köhler

Publications and source records attributed to Rüdeger Köhler.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Low-threshold quantum-cascade lasers at 3.5 THz (lambda = 85 microm).

Chirped-superlattice quantum-cascade lasers are reported that emit at lambda approximately 85 microm (3.6 THz), which is to the authors' knowledge the longest wavelength demonstrated so far with this technology. Collected peak output powers of 1.5 mW per facet were measured at liquid-helium temperature, and a maximum operating temperature of 45 K was reached. Record low-threshold-current densities of 95 and 115 A cm(-2) were observed in pulsed and continuous-wave operation, respectively. For the latter, output powers of a few hundred microwatts are estimated at low temperatures.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Microcavity polariton splitting of intersubband transitions.

The optical response of the intersubband excitation of multiple two-dimensional electron gases within a semiconductor microcavity has been studied through angle-dependent reflectance measurements. Using a resonator based on total internal reflection, a clear splitting of about 14 meV of the coupled intersubband cavity modes is observed from 10 K to room temperature, with resulting polaritonlike dispersion. The experimental findings are in good agreement with theoretical calculations performed in a transfer-matrix formalism.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Terahertz semiconductor-heterostructure laser.

Semiconductor devices have become indispensable for generating electromagnetic radiation in everyday applications. Visible and infrared diode lasers are at the core of information technology, and at the other end of the spectrum, microwave and radio-frequency emitters enable wireless communications. But the terahertz region (1-10 THz; 1 THz = 10(12) Hz) between these ranges has remained largely underdeveloped, despite the identification of various possible applications--for example, chemical detection, astronomy and medical imaging. Progress in this area has been hampered by the lack of compact, low-consumption, solid-state terahertz sources. Here we report a monolithic terahertz injection laser that is based on interminiband transitions in the conduction band of a semiconductor (GaAs/AlGaAs) heterostructure. The prototype demonstrated emits a single mode at 4.4 THz, and already shows high output powers of more than 2 mW with low threshold current densities of about a few hundred A cm(-2) up to 50 K. These results are very promising for extending the present laser concept to continuous-wave and high-temperature operation, which would lead to implementation in practical photonic systems.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Thermoelectrically cooled quantum-cascade-laser-based sensor for the continuous monitoring of ambient atmospheric carbon monoxide.

We report the first application of a thermoelectrically cooled, distributed-feedback quantum-cascade laser for continuous spectroscopic monitoring of CO in ambient air at a wavelength of 4.6 microm. A noise-equivalent detection limit of 12 parts per billion was demonstrated experimentally with a 102-cm optical pathlength and a 2.5-min data acquisition time at a 10-kHz pulsed-laser repetition rate. This sensitivity corresponds to a standard error in fractional absorbance of 3 x 10(-5).

Atmosphere↗

PubMed2002

Transportable automated ammonia sensor based on a pulsed thermoelectrically cooled quantum-cascade distributed feedback laser.

A compact ammonia sensor based on a 10-microm single-frequency, thermoelectrically cooled, pulsed quantum-cascade laser with an embedded distributed feedback structure has been developed. To measure NH3 concentrations, we scanned the laser over two absorption lines of its fundamental v2 band. A sensitivity of better than 0.3 parts per million was achieved with just a 1-m optical path length. The sensor is computer controlled and automated to monitor NH3 concentrations continuously for extended periods of time and to store data in the computer memory.

Ammonia↗