SPICE simulation for analysis and design of fast 1.55 μm MQW laser diodes

A rate equation model for static and dynamic behavior of 1.55 μm InGaAsP multiquantum-well (MQW) semiconductor lasers has been developed. A three level scheme for the rate equations has been chosen in order to model carrier transport effects. The introduction of quasi-two dimensional (quasi-2-D) gateway states between unbound and confined states has been used to calculate, for each well independently, carrier density and gain, allowing to take nonuniform injection into account. Starting from the formal identity between a rate equation and a Kirchoff current balance equation at a capacitor node, the model has been implemented on a SPICE circuit emulator, SPICE has granted an easy handling of parasitics and opens the possibility of integration with electrical components. The model´s parameters have been directly derived from a complete set of measurements on real devices. Thanks to this characterization and the model accuracy, we have obtained good agreement between simulations and experimental data. The model was finally used to improve both static and dynamic properties of MQW devices. Based on this optimization, compressive strained InGaAsP-InP MQW Fabry-Perot lasers were realized, achieving low threshold current, high efficiency, and more than 10 GHz of direct modulation bandwidth