Trap versus absorber model for semiconductor laser dynamics

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5630901

Liu, Xuyong

The author has compared the trap model to the absorber model by numerically simulating the responses of semiconductor lasers containing traps or absorbers with or without external optical feedback at low to moderate levels. He has discussed dependence of intensity oscillation frequency, onset of self-sustained pulsations and damping rate of relaxation oscillations on various lasers parameters. These include injection current, trap and absorber densities, gain saturation, spontaneous emission, photon lifetime and carrier lifetime. He has also investigated effects on intensity pulsations of external cavity length, phase shift in external cavity and feedback level. The results based on the trap and absorber models are in agreement with experimental data available in the literature. The comparison shows that there are no significant differences between the two models. A closer look at the rate equations and physical processes involved also suggests similarities. The only difference is that traps interact directly with carriers, while absorbers do not. This, however, will not result in significantly different laser dynamics, since the capture or release of electrons by traps is not the dominant process that alters the carrier density in dynamic responses. Contrary to certain conclusions made in the literature base on insufficient studies, he found that both models are capable of explaining relevant experimental observations published.

• Research Organization: Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5630901
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
426002* -- Engineering-- Lasers & Masers-- (1990-)
ABSORPTION
AMPLIFICATION
BOSONS
CARRIER DENSITY
CARRIER LIFETIME
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DAMPING
DYNAMICS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EVALUATION
FEEDBACK
GAIN
LASER CAVITIES
LASERS
LIFETIME
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
PHOTONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS
SIMULATION
SOLID STATE LASERS
TRAPS