Investigation of Thermal Effects in Quantum-Cascade Lasers

Craig A. Evans, Vladimir D. Jovanović, Dragan Indjin, Zoran Ikonić, Paul Harrison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The development of a thermal model for quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) is presented. The model is used in conjunction with a self-consistent scattering rate calculation of the electron dynamics of an InGaAs-AlAsSb QCL to calculate the temperature distribution throughout the device which can be a limiting factor for high temperature operation. The model is used to investigate the effects of various driving conditions and device geometries, such as epilayer down bonding and buried heterostructures, on the active region temperature. It is found that buried heterostructures have a factor of eight decrease in thermal time constants compared to standard ridge waveguide structures in pulsed mode and allow a ∼78% increase in heat sink temperature compared to epilayer down mounted devices in continuous-wave mode. The model presented provides a valuable tool for understanding the thermal dynamics inside a quantum cascade laser and will help to improve their operating temperatures.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1661783
Pages (from-to)859-867
Number of pages9
JournalIEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
Volume42
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sep 2006
Externally publishedYes

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