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Description
Quantum cascade laser (QCL) has established itself as the main laser source in the mid-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Due to a substantial third-order non-linearity in the laser active region, QCLs can work in a self-starting frequency comb regime, making them interesting for spectroscopic applications. A model based on Maxwell-Bloch equations was developed in order to study phase locking dynamics of a free running mid-infrared QCL frequency comb. A thorough study of the impact of the dispersion and optical non-linearities on the cavity mode dynamics was conducted. Recent experimental findings, showing chirped frequency modulated output, were reproduced for the first time, giving important insight into the governing mechanisms responsible for the modal phase-locking.
