Limiting Factors to the Temperature Performance of THz Quantum Cascade Lasers Based on the Resonant-Phonon Depopulation Scheme

作者：Chassagneux Y^*; Wang Q J; Khanna S P; Strupiechonski E; Coudevylle J R; Linfield E H; Davies A G; Capasso F; Belkin M A; Colombelli R

来源：IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, 2012, 2(1): 83-92.

DOI：10.1109/TTHZ.2011.2177176

• Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs)
• semiconductor lasers
• terahertz (THz)

We analyze the temperature performance of five terahertz (THz)-frequency quantum cascade lasers based on a three-quantum-well resonant-phonon depopulation design as a function of operating frequency in the 2.3-3.8-THz range. We find evidence that the device performance is limited by the interplay between two factors: 1) optical phonon scattering of thermal electrons, which dominates at shorter wavelengths, and 2) parasitic current, which dominates at longer wavelengths. We present a simple model that provides an accurate estimate of the parasitic current in these devices and predicts the dependence of the threshold current density on temperature.

• 出版日期2012-1