Interband cascade laser emitting at λ=3.75 μm in continuous wave above room temperature

We report a five-stage interband cascade laser that operates at lambda = 3.75 mu m in cw mode up to a maximum temperature of 319 K. With gold electroplating, epitaxial-side-up mounting, and one facet coated for high reflectivity, a 3 mm x 9.2 mu m ridge emits over 10 mW of cw power at 300 K. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.