Impact of 3MeV Energy Proton Particles on Mid-IR QCLs.

This paper reports the results obtained for a distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser (DFB-QCL) exposed to different fluences of proton particles: 10, 10 and 10 p/cm. Dedicated laboratory setups were developed to assess the irradiation-induced changes in this device. Multiple parameters defining the QCL performances were investigated prior to and following each irradiation step: (i) voltage-driving current; (ii) emitted optical power-driving current; (iii) central emitting wavelength-driving current; (iv) emitted spectrum-driving current; (v) transversal mode structure-driving current, maintaining the system operating temperature at 20 °C.