Maximizing the population inversion by optimizing the depopulation rate in far-infrared quantum cascade lasers

K. Donovan; P. Harrison; P. Kinsler; R. W. Kelsall

doi:10.1006/spmi.1998.0661

Maximizing the population inversion by optimizing the depopulation rate in far-infrared quantum cascade lasers

K. Donovan, P. Harrison, P. Kinsler, R. W. Kelsall

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Electron-LO phonon and electron-electron transition rates are calculated for a three-level triple quantum well system to be employed as a laser operating in the far-infrared (30-300 μm) or terahertz (1-10 THz) region. The population ratio is determined from the ratio of the carrier lifetimes in levels |3〉 and |2〉. The most effective way of depopulating the lower laser level is found to be by LO phonon scattering to a strongly coupled state, as occurs at an anticrossing. Back scattering of carriers from level |1〉 to level |2〉 is significant at room temperature, but a population ratio of approximately 5 is possible nonetheless.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	373-376
Number of pages	4
Journal	Superlattices and Microstructures
Volume	25
Issue number	1-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1006/spmi.1998.0661
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 1999
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Maximizing the population inversion by optimizing the depopulation rate in far-infrared quantum cascade lasers",

abstract = "Electron-LO phonon and electron-electron transition rates are calculated for a three-level triple quantum well system to be employed as a laser operating in the far-infrared (30-300 μm) or terahertz (1-10 THz) region. The population ratio is determined from the ratio of the carrier lifetimes in levels |3〉 and |2〉. The most effective way of depopulating the lower laser level is found to be by LO phonon scattering to a strongly coupled state, as occurs at an anticrossing. Back scattering of carriers from level |1〉 to level |2〉 is significant at room temperature, but a population ratio of approximately 5 is possible nonetheless.",

keywords = "Anticrossing, Far-infrared, Population inversion, Quantum cascade laser",

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note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements—The authors would like to thank the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and the University of Leeds for financial support.",

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T1 - Maximizing the population inversion by optimizing the depopulation rate in far-infrared quantum cascade lasers

AU - Donovan, K.

AU - Harrison, P.

AU - Kinsler, P.

AU - Kelsall, R. W.

N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgements—The authors would like to thank the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and the University of Leeds for financial support.

PY - 1999/1/1

Y1 - 1999/1/1

N2 - Electron-LO phonon and electron-electron transition rates are calculated for a three-level triple quantum well system to be employed as a laser operating in the far-infrared (30-300 μm) or terahertz (1-10 THz) region. The population ratio is determined from the ratio of the carrier lifetimes in levels |3〉 and |2〉. The most effective way of depopulating the lower laser level is found to be by LO phonon scattering to a strongly coupled state, as occurs at an anticrossing. Back scattering of carriers from level |1〉 to level |2〉 is significant at room temperature, but a population ratio of approximately 5 is possible nonetheless.

AB - Electron-LO phonon and electron-electron transition rates are calculated for a three-level triple quantum well system to be employed as a laser operating in the far-infrared (30-300 μm) or terahertz (1-10 THz) region. The population ratio is determined from the ratio of the carrier lifetimes in levels |3〉 and |2〉. The most effective way of depopulating the lower laser level is found to be by LO phonon scattering to a strongly coupled state, as occurs at an anticrossing. Back scattering of carriers from level |1〉 to level |2〉 is significant at room temperature, but a population ratio of approximately 5 is possible nonetheless.

KW - Anticrossing

KW - Far-infrared

KW - Population inversion

KW - Quantum cascade laser

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DO - 10.1006/spmi.1998.0661

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JO - Superlattices and Microstructures

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Maximizing the population inversion by optimizing the depopulation rate in far-infrared quantum cascade lasers

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