Title :
Performance Optimization and Instability Study in Ring Cavity Quantum Cascade Lasers
Author :
Moradinasab, M. ; Pourfath, M. ; Kosina, H.
Author_Institution :
Inst. for Microelectron., Tech. Univ. Wien, Vienna, Austria
Abstract :
An optimization study of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) considering the laser instability condition is performed. To model current transport, the Pauli master equation is solved using a Monte Carlo approach. The effects of saturable absorber and pumping strength on the instability threshold are investigated. A particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to increase the laser optical gain. A large optical gain below the instability threshold is achieved for optimized QCL designs. To analyze the optimized structure, a numerical calculation based on the Maxwell-Bloch equations is performed. The results indicate side-mode instabilities due to Risken-Nummedal-Graham-Haken-like instability.
Keywords :
Monte Carlo methods; laser cavity resonators; laser modes; laser stability; master equation; optical pumping; optical saturable absorption; particle swarm optimisation; quantum cascade lasers; ring lasers; Maxwell-Bloch equations; Monte Carlo approach; Pauli master equation; QCL design; Risken-Nummedal-Graham-Haken-like instability; current transport; instability threshold; laser instability condition; laser optical gain; numerical calculation; particle swarm optimization algorithm; performance optimization; pumping strength; ring cavity quantum cascade lasers; saturable absorber; side-mode instability; Cavity resonators; Equations; Laser mode locking; Mathematical model; Optimization; Quantum cascade lasers; Monte Carlo simulation; Monte-Carlo simulation; Particle swarm optimization; mode locked lasers; quantum cascade laser; saturable absorber;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JQE.2014.2373171
