We demonstrate high-performance InGaAsPN quantum well based long-wavelength
lasers grown on GaAs substrates, Nitrogen containing lasers emitting in th
e lambda = 1.2- to 1.3-mu m wavelength range were grown by gas source molec
ular beam epitaxy using a RF plasma nitrogen source. Under pulsed excitatio
n, lasers emitting at lambda = 1.295 mu m exhibited a record low threshold
current density (J(TH)) of 2.5 kA/cm(2). Lasers grown with less nitrogen in
the quantum well exhibited significantly lower threshold current densities
of J(TH) = 1.9 kA/cm(2) at lambda = 1.27 mu m and J(TH) = 1.27 kA/cm(2) at
lambda = 1.2 mu m. We also report a slope efficiency of 0.4 W/A and an out
put power of 450 mW under pulsed operation for nitrogen containing lasers e
mitting at 1.2 mu m.