Limits of strain compensation in MQW InGaAsP/InP 1.5 μm lasers

The authors consider strain compensation for typical multiple quantum well (MQW) laser structures using an energy balance model and determine the theoretical limitations of structural stability based on uncompensated reliability data from the literature. Strain compensation is the technique used to balance tensile and compressive forces in alternating layers to render the stack strain neutral. Strain compensation must be given careful consideration in the design and synthesis of strain neutral structures. Strain compensation holds the promise of reduced defect densities with enhanced stability and should permit very highly strained QW optoelectronic devices to be fabricated which are predicted to have considerably enhanced performance and reliability