Quantum cascade laser gain medium modeling using a second-nearest-neighbor tight-binding model

Green, J., Boykin, T.B., Farmera, C.D., Garciac, M., Ironside, C.N., Klimeck, G., Lake, R. and Stanley, C.R. (2005) Quantum cascade laser gain medium modeling using a second-nearest-neighbor tight-binding model. Superlattices and Microstructures, 37(6), pp. 410-424. (doi: 10.1016/j.spmi.2005.03.003)

Abstract

A ten-band <i>sp³s*</i> second-nearest-neighbor tight-binding model has been used to model the electronic structure of various <i>Al_xGa₁-_x</i>As quantum cascade laser gain media. The results of the calculations have been compared with experimental emission wavelength data, and it has been shown that the model predicts the photon energies at the peaks in the gain coefficient spectra agreeing, on average, to within 4 meV of the experimental values. Comparison of the results of the calculations with results from a two-band k - p model shows that the tight-binding model is able to find the X-like states simultaneously with the Γ-like states. These X-like states were found to be strongly localized within the barriers. Finally, the model has also been applied to InAs/AlSb and InAs/AlSb/GaSb QCLs.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stanley, Professor Colin and Ironside, Professor Charles
• Authors: Green, J., Boykin, T.B., Farmera, C.D., Garciac, M., Ironside, C.N., Klimeck, G., Lake, R., and Stanley, C.R.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering; University Centres > Glasgow Materials Research Initiative
• Journal Name: Superlattices and Microstructures
• ISSN: 0749-6036