Efficient prediction of terahertz quantum cascade laser dynamics from steady-state simulations

AGNEW, G., GRIER, A., TAIMRE, T., LIM, Y. L., NIKOLIĆ, M., VALAVANIS, A., COOPER, J., DEAN, P., KHANNA, S. P., LACHAB, M., LINFIELD, E. H., DAVIES, A. G., HARRISON, Paul, IKONIĆ, Z., INDJIN, D. and RAKIĆ, A. D. (2015). Efficient prediction of terahertz quantum cascade laser dynamics from steady-state simulations. Applied Physics Letters, 106 (16), p. 161105.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Copyright 2015 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics)
1.4918993.pdf - Published Version

Download (1MB) | Preview
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4918993

Abstract

Terahertz-frequency quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) based on bound-to-continuum active regions are difficult to model owing to their large number of quantum states. We present a computationally efficient reduced rate equation (RE) model that reproduces the experimentally observed variation of THz power with respect to drive current and heat-sink temperature. We also present dynamic (time-domain) simulations under a range of drive currents and predict an increase in modulation bandwidth as the current approaches the peak of the light-current curve, as observed experimentally in mid-infrared QCLs. We account for temperature and bias dependence of the carrier lifetimes, gain, and injection efficiency, calculated from a full rate equation model. The temperature dependence of the simulated threshold current, emitted power, and cut-off current are thus all reproduced accurately with only one fitting parameter, the interface roughness, in the full REs. We propose that the model could therefore be used for rapid dynamical simulation of QCL designs. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Materials and Engineering Research Institute > Advanced Coatings and Composites Research Centre > Electronic Materials and Sensors Research Group
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4918993
Page Range: p. 161105
Depositing User: Paul Harrison
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2015 11:52
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 04:18
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11143

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics