Simulation of the interplay between stimulated emission and carrier distribution in quantum-cascade lasers

We present a model for the simulation of the effect of stimulated emission on the transport and optical properties in quantum-cascade lasers. The model is based on the self-consistent solution of the Schrödinger and Poisson equations using a one-dimensional scattering rate approach, which includes the laser rate equations. We discuss the charge redistribution, the modification of the current density, and the shift of the gain maximum for various designs of mid-infrared as well as THz quantum-cascade lasers. We found that this shift varies for the different designs, but is of similar order of magnitude as due to typical fluctuations of the layer parameters such as thicknesses and composition. In some cases, the inclusion of stimulated emission results in the appearance of negative differential conductivity, which may explain the observed instabilities of the current and light output power.