Innovation

We are a leader in the research and development of high performance mid- to long-wave infrared LED and laser technology.

Firefly Photonics LLC is a leader in the research and development of high performance mid- to long-wave infrared LED and laser technology. We have the capability to design, grow, microfabricate, and test prototypes, and work with partners for volume manufacturing.

 

Advances in infrared LEDs and lasers have enabled technologies in defense, medical imaging, spectroscopy, and gas and chemical sensing. Now these applications are driving the demand for higher radiance, better design control of single and multiple wavelengths, and higher efficiency.

Mid- to long-wave infrared light emitting diodes

Design and manufacture of high power mid- to long-wave infrared light emitting diodes, both single element and large format arrays. Company members have numerous publications and innovations (patents pending) on these devices.

Mid- to long-wave infrared laser diodes

Design and manufacture of mid-infrared laser diodes, such as interband cascade lasers, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, and quantum cascade lasers.

Mid-infrared systems and technologies

We work with partners such as Chip Design Systems and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging to integrate our LEDs and lasers into systems, such as gas sensors, projectors, and medical devices.

Molecular beam epitaxy growth, microfabrication, and characterization

We have unparalleled access to cutting-edge user facilities at the University of Iowa, including molecular beam epitaxy, microfabrication, and characterization.

  • gen-lab_2

    Molecular Beam Epitaxy Facility

  • Two color SLED array (640x477)

    Two color SLED array

  • LED Mesas

    LED Mesas

  • University of Iowa Microfabrication Facility

    University of Iowa Microfabrication Facility

  • LED Test Array

    LED Test Array

LATEST NEWS & RESEARCH

Firefly’s technology is based on >15 years of innovation

Innovation

Year

Relevant Publication

Cascaded LED

2008

E. J. Koerperick, J. T. Olesberg, J. L. Hicks, J. P. Prineas and T. F. Boggess, “Active Region Cascading for Improved Performance in InAs–GaSb Superlattice LEDs,” in IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 44, no. 12, pp. 1242-1247, Dec. 2008, doi: 10.1109/JQE.2008.2003145.

Cascaded LED

2009

E. J. Koerperick, J. T. Olesberg, J. L. Hicks, J. P. Prineas and T. F. Boggess, “High-Power MWIR Cascaded InAs–GaSb Superlattice LEDs,” in IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 45, no. 7, pp. 849-853, July 2009, doi: 10.1109/JQE.2009.2013176.

LWIR LED

2010

E. J. Koerperick, D. T. Norton, J. T. Olesberg, B. V. Olson, J. P. Prineas and T. F. Boggess, “Cascaded Superlattice InAs/GaSb Light-Emitting Diodes for Operation in the Long-Wave Infrared,” in IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 50-54, Jan. 2011, doi: 10.1109/JQE.2010.2072492.

Growth on GaAs

2015

S. R. Provence, R. Ricker, Y. Aytac, T. F. Boggess, and J. P. Prineas , “High power cascaded mid-infrared InAs/GaSb light emitting diodes on mismatched GaAs”, Journal of Applied Physics 118, 123108 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4931914

Two-color LED

2015

Ricker, R.J., A. Hudson, S. Provence, D.T. Norton, J.T. Olesberg, L.M. Murray, J.P. Prineas, and T.F. Boggess, Dual-Color InAs/GaSb Cascaded Superlattice Light-Emitting Diodes. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 2015. 51(12): p. 1-6.

Broadband LED

2017

R. J. Ricker, S. R. Provence, D. T. Norton, T. F. Boggess Jr., and J. P. Prineas , “Broadband mid-infrared superlattice light-emitting diodes”, Journal of Applied Physics 121, 185701 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4983023

n-type anode

2017

A. J. Muhowski, R. J. Ricker, T. F. Boggess, and J. P. Prineas , “n-type anode layer, high-power MWIR superlattice LED”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 111, 243509 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5006045

Growth on Silicon

2019

Muhowski, A.J., C.L. Bogh, R.L. Heise, T.F. Boggess, and J.P. Prineas, Improved performance of mid-infrared superlattice light emitting diodes grown epitaxially on silicon. Journal of Crystal Growth, 2019. 507: p. 46-49.

4-layer superlattice (4LSL)

2020

A. J. Muhowski, A. M. Muellerleile, J. T. Olesberg, and J. P. Prineas , “Internal quantum efficiency in 6.1 Å superlattices of 77% for mid-wave infrared emitters”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 117, 061101 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0013854

4LSL LED

2021

D. A. Montealegre, K. N. Schrock, A. C. Walhof, A. M. Muellerleile, and J. P. Prineas , “High-power mid-wave infrared LED using W-superlattices and textured surfaces”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 118, 071105 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0039269

Nitrate Sensing

2021

B. Gao, A. C. Walhof, D. A. Laird, F. Toor and J. P. Prineas, “Analytical Evaluation of Mobile In Situ Soil Nitrate Infrared Sensor Designs for Precision Agriculture,” in IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 21, no. 18, pp. 20200-20209, 15 Sept.15, 2021, doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2021.3096856.
We offer custom products for your mid-infared light source needs, including LEDs and lasers.