Mid-Infrared Quantum-Dot Quantum Cascade Laser: A Theoretical Feasibility Study
Abstract
In the framework of a microscopic model for intersubband gain from electrically pumped quantum-dot structures we investigate electrically pumped quantum-dots as active material for a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser. Our previous calculations have indicated that these structures could operate with reduced threshold current densities while also achieving a modal gain comparable to that of quantum well active materials. We study the influence of two important quantum-dot material parameters, here, namely inhomogeneous broadening and quantum-dot sheet density, on the performance of a proposed quantum cascade laser design. In terms of achieving a positive modal net gain, a high quantum-dot density can compensate for moderately high inhomogeneous broadening, but at a cost of increased threshold current density. By minimizing quantum-dot density with presently achievable inhomogeneous broadening and total losses, significantly lower threshold densities than those reported in quantum-well quantum-cascade lasers are predicted by our theory.
- Authors:
-
- Univ. of Kaiserslautern (Germany)
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1257807
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2016-4834J
Journal ID: ISSN 2304-6732; 640623
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Photonics
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 3; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 2304-6732
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
Citation Formats
Michael, Stephan, Chow, Weng, and Schneider, Hans. Mid-Infrared Quantum-Dot Quantum Cascade Laser: A Theoretical Feasibility Study. United States: N. p., 2016.
Web. doi:10.3390/photonics3020029.
Michael, Stephan, Chow, Weng, & Schneider, Hans. Mid-Infrared Quantum-Dot Quantum Cascade Laser: A Theoretical Feasibility Study. United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics3020029
Michael, Stephan, Chow, Weng, and Schneider, Hans. Sun .
"Mid-Infrared Quantum-Dot Quantum Cascade Laser: A Theoretical Feasibility Study". United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics3020029. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1257807.
@article{osti_1257807,
title = {Mid-Infrared Quantum-Dot Quantum Cascade Laser: A Theoretical Feasibility Study},
author = {Michael, Stephan and Chow, Weng and Schneider, Hans},
abstractNote = {In the framework of a microscopic model for intersubband gain from electrically pumped quantum-dot structures we investigate electrically pumped quantum-dots as active material for a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser. Our previous calculations have indicated that these structures could operate with reduced threshold current densities while also achieving a modal gain comparable to that of quantum well active materials. We study the influence of two important quantum-dot material parameters, here, namely inhomogeneous broadening and quantum-dot sheet density, on the performance of a proposed quantum cascade laser design. In terms of achieving a positive modal net gain, a high quantum-dot density can compensate for moderately high inhomogeneous broadening, but at a cost of increased threshold current density. By minimizing quantum-dot density with presently achievable inhomogeneous broadening and total losses, significantly lower threshold densities than those reported in quantum-well quantum-cascade lasers are predicted by our theory.},
doi = {10.3390/photonics3020029},
journal = {Photonics},
number = 2,
volume = 3,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}
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