Optically pumped four-level infrared laser based on intersubband transitions in multiple quantum wells: feasibility study

Author

Sun, Gang ; Khurgin, Jacob B.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD, USA

Volume

29

Issue

4

fYear

1993

fDate

4/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1104

Lastpage

1111

Abstract

The feasibility of optically pumped infrared laser based on the intersubband transitions in multiple quantum wells is studied theoretically. The criteria for population inversion and efficient lasing operations are established. A system consisting of a superlattice with four quantum wells per period is proposed and shown to satisfy the criteria. The relaxation processes are investigated, giving the electron-phonon interaction a rigorous theoretical treatment. It is shown that in the proposed structure, optical gain in excess of 300 cm ^-1 can be realized under practical pumping conditions. Modification and optimization of the proposed laser are discussed

Keywords

electron-phonon interactions; laser theory; optical pumping; population inversion; semiconductor lasers; efficient lasing operations; electron-phonon interaction; intersubband transitions; multiple quantum wells; optical gain; optically pumped four level infrared laser; population inversion; relaxation processes; rigorous theoretical treatment; superlattice; Laser excitation; Laser theory; Laser transitions; Optical pumping; Optical superlattices; Proposals; Pump lasers; Quantum mechanics; Quantum well lasers; Tunneling;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.214496

Filename

214496