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Self-consistent simulations of quantum cascade laser structures for frequency comb generation

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Abstract

Maxwell–Bloch equations are widely used to model the dynamics due to coherent light-matter interaction in quantum cascade laser (QCL) structures, which plays an essential role especially for the generation of frequency combs and mode-locked pulses. While the modest numerical complexity of the Maxwell–Bloch system allows for a full spatiotemporal treatment, its main disadvantage is the inclusion of dissipation by empirical dephasing rates and electron lifetimes. We present a self-consistent multi-domain approach which couples the Maxwell–Bloch equations to advanced carrier transport simulations based on a density matrix Monte Carlo technique, yielding the scattering and dephasing rates. In this way, the compact spatiotemporal modeling of the carrier-light dynamics by the Maxwell–Bloch system can be combined with the versatility and reliability of self-consistent carrier transport approaches. Simulation results are shown for a QCL-based terahertz frequency comb source, and good agreement with experiment is obtained.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the Heisenberg program (JI 115/4-1) and under DFG Grant No. JI 115/9-1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Arcisstr. 21, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Christian Jirauschek & Petar Tzenov

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  1. Christian Jirauschek
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  2. Petar Tzenov
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Correspondence to Christian Jirauschek.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Numerical Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices, NUSOD ’17.

Guest edited by Matthias Auf der Maur, Weida Hu, Slawomir Sujecki, Yuh-Renn Wu, Niels Gregersen, Paolo Bardella.

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Jirauschek, C., Tzenov, P. Self-consistent simulations of quantum cascade laser structures for frequency comb generation. Opt Quant Electron 49, 414 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-017-1253-7

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