Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL)

A Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) is a specialized laser that emits mid- to far-infrared light, used in applications like gas sensing and spectroscopy. It operates by sending electrons through multiple layered semiconductor materials, where each layer is designed to produce a photon when electrons move between them. This cascading process allows the laser to generate powerful, coherent infrared light with high precision. Unlike traditional lasers that rely on electronic transitions within atoms or molecules, QCLs use engineered semiconductor structures to achieve their unique light emission, making them highly tunable and efficient for specific infrared wavelengths.