Gain saturation effects in THz quantum cascade lasers
https://doi.org/10.29235/1561-2430-2022-58-2-237-244
Abstract
The effect of gain saturation in quantum-cascade structures with 2–4 quantum wells per period is herein analyzed on the basis of a system of balance equations. It is shown that the nonlinearity parameter decreases with an increase in the relaxation rate of laser levels, but the total current through the structure also increases. The use of the proposed multiphoton designs leads to a decrease in the non-linearity parameter without increasing the operating current. For example, in a two-photon scheme of laser transitions with the same transition probabilities and differential gains, two times slower saturation of the gain with an increase in the photon density is achieved, which leads to a high generation efficiency than in single-photon schemes.
About the Authors
D. V. Ushakov
Belarusian State University
Belarus
Belarus
Dmitrii V. Ushakov – Ph. D. (Physics and Mathematics), Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Radiophysics and Computer Technologies
4, Nezavisimosti Ave., 220030, Minsk
A. A. Afonenko
Belarusian State University
Belarus
Belarus
Alexander A. Afonenko – Dr. Sc. (Physics and Mathematics), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Quantum Radiophysics and Optoelectronics
4, Nezavisimosti Ave., 220030, Minsk
R. A. Khabibullin
V. G. Mokerov Institute of Ultra-high Frequency Semiconductor Electronics of Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Rustam A. Khabibullin – Ph. D. (Physics and Mathematics), Senior Researcher
7, building 5, Nagorny proezd, 117105, Moscow
V. K. Kononenko
Belarusian State University
Belarus
Belarus
Valerii K. Kononenko – Dr. Sc. (Physics and Mathematics), Professor, Professor of the Department of Quantum Radiophysics and Optoelectronics
4, Nezavisimosti Ave., 220030, Minsk
I. S. Manak
Belarusian State University
Belarus
Belarus
Ivan S. Manak – Ph. D. (Physics and Mathematics), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Quantum Radiophysics and Optoelectronics
4, Nezavisimosti Ave., 220030, Minsk
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