Wavelength-Switchable Mid-Infrared Narrowband Thermal Emitters Based on Quantum Wells and Photonic Crystals

Abstract

Development of narrowband thermal emitters whose emission wavelengths are dynamically tunable is highly desired for various applications including the sensing of gases and chemical compounds. In this paper, we review our recent demonstration of wavelength-switchable mid-infrared thermal emitters based on multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and photonic crystals (PCs). Through the control of absorptivity by using intersubband transitions in MQWs and optical resonances in PC slabs, we demonstrate novel control of thermal emission, including realization of high-Q (Q>100) thermal emission, dynamic control of thermal emission (∼MHz), and electrical wavelength switching of thermal emission from a single device.