An Overview of Free Space Optics with Quantum Cascade Lasers

The article presents an overview of the work on quantum cascade lasers application in free space optical systems (Free Space Optics - FSO). There are discussed the main issues of the open-space laser communications and their practical construction. Comparative analyses of each FSO technology were performed. Brief description of quantum cascade (QC) lasers and some developments related to the use of these lasers in optical data link are also presented. In summary, the constructed models of FSO links with QC lasers are characterized.