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

Abstract

Scattering due to interface-roughness (IR) and longitudinal-optical (LO) phonons are primary transport mechanisms in terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs). By choosing GaAs/Al0.10Ga0.90As 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.

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [2]; ORCiD logo [1]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities Division
OSTI Identifier:
1595937
Report Number(s):
SAND-2020-0624J
Journal ID: ISSN 2304-6732; PHOTC5; 682968; TRN: US2100928
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525; ECCS 1609168; ECCS 1351142
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Photonics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 7; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2304-6732
Publisher:
MDPI
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; terahertz lasers; quantum cascade lasers; interface roughness scattering; LO-phonon scattering

Citation Formats

Gao, Liang, Reno, John L., and Kumar, Sushil. Short Barriers for Lowering Current-Density in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers. United States: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.3390/photonics7010007.
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Gao, Liang, Reno, John L., & Kumar, Sushil. Short Barriers for Lowering Current-Density in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers. United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics7010007
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Gao, Liang, Reno, John L., and Kumar, Sushil. Wed . "Short Barriers for Lowering Current-Density in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers". United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics7010007. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1595937.
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@article{osti_1595937,
title = {Short Barriers for Lowering Current-Density in Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers},
author = {Gao, Liang and Reno, John L. and Kumar, Sushil},
abstractNote = {Scattering due to interface-roughness (IR) and longitudinal-optical (LO) phonons are primary transport mechanisms in terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs). By choosing GaAs/Al0.10Ga0.90As 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.},
doi = {10.3390/photonics7010007},
journal = {Photonics},
number = 1,
volume = 7,
place = {United States},
year = {2020},
month = {1}
}
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https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics7010007
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