@inproceedings{cbec9494d110465d8806fe1566da709a,
title = "Long-term operational testing of quantum cascade lasers",
abstract = "In this paper, we present the results of long-term operational testing of several quantum cascade laser (QCL) variants to illustrate their robustness and long lifetimes. Performance factors are investigated including power and spectral stability over different timescales ranging from days to years. The effects of burn-in, packaging, mounting, and facet coatings are considered with respect to their influence on long-term laser performance. In addition, the results from the several years' operation of a custom external cavity quantum cascade laser-based trace gas sensor are presented to highlight the reliable performance of QCL-based sensor systems. This sensor monitored the laboratory air for multiple chemicals and operated continuously for two years without any evidence of degradation in performance. The data from all of these experiments will be discussed to demonstrate the reliability and robust performance of QCLs.",
keywords = "Laser-based sensors, Lifetime, Power stability, Quantum cascade lasers, Spectral stability",
author = "Myers, {Tanya L.} and Cannon, {Bret D.} and Brauer, {Carolyn S.} and Phillips, {Mark C.} and Taubman, {Matthew S.} and Bernacki, {Bruce E.}",
note = "Funding Information: The research described in this paper was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development (DNN-RandD). PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. DOE under Contract DE-AC05-76RLO1830. The authors would also like to acknowledge Calvin G. Anderson, who assisted with some of the measurements presented in this paper Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 SPIE.; Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications VIII Conference ; Conference date: 17-04-2016 Through 21-04-2016",
year = "2016",
doi = "10.1117/12.2223129",
language = "English (US)",
series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",
publisher = "SPIE",
editor = "Thomas George and Dutta, {Achyut K.} and Islam, {M. Saif}",
booktitle = "Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications VIII",
}