Momentum dependent scattering matrix elements in quantum cascade laser transport

Simulations of electron transport through quantum cascade lasers under operating conditions are carried out using fully frequency- and wave vector-dependent self-consistent nonequilibrium Green's function. Results are compared to those from a previous simplified approach where scattering rates are only evaluated at representative 'typical values' of the in-plane momentum in order to limit the numerical complexity. The full calculation leads to increased intrasubband Scattering. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.