Short Barriers for Lowering Current-Density in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers

Gao, Liang; Reno, John L.; Kumar, Sushil

doi:10.3390/photonics7010007

Short Barriers for Lowering Current-Density in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers

Journal Article · Tue Jan 07 23:00:00 EST 2020 · Photonics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics7010007· OSTI ID:1595937

^[1]; Reno, John L. ^[2]; ^[1]

Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Scattering due to interface-roughness (IR) and longitudinal-optical (LO) phonons are primary transport mechanisms in terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs). By choosing GaAs/Al_0.10Ga_0.90As heterostructures with short-barriers, the effect of IR scattering is mitigated, leading to low operating current-densities. A series of resonant-phonon terahertz QCLs developed over time, achieving some of the lowest threshold and peak current-densities among published terahertz QCLs with maximum operating temperatures above 100 K. The best result is obtained for a three-well 3.1 THz QCL with threshold and peak current-densities of 134 A/cm² and 208 A/cm² respectively at 53 K, and a maximum lasing temperature of 135 K. Another three-well QCL designed for broadband bidirectional operation achieved lasing in a combined frequency range of 3.1–3.7 THz operating under both positive and negative polarities, with an operating current-density range of 167–322 A/cm² at 53 K and maximum lasing temperature of 141 K or 121 K depending on the polarity of the applied bias. By showing results from QCLs developed over a period of time, here we show conclusively that short-barrier terahertz QCLs are effective in achieving low current-density operation at the cost of a reduction in peak temperature performance.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); National Science Foundation; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22). Scientific User Facilities Division

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1595937

Report Number(s):: SAND--2020-0624J; 682968

Journal Information:: Photonics, Journal Name: Photonics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 7; ISSN PHOTC5; ISSN 2304-6732

Publisher:: MDPICopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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