We study the band designs of terahertz quantum–cascade lasers (THz QCLs) with an active region of GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs quantum wells (QWs) by using the solution of the Schrödinger equation with allowance for dephasing of quantum states, as well as solving a system of closed balance equations. For two-QW designs with increased AlxGa1−xAs potential barrier height (x = 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30), temperature dependences of the peak gain are calculated. It is shown that by increasing the aluminum content in the barrier layers compared to the conventional x = 0.15, it becomes possible to increase the operating temperatures of THz QCLs by more than 220 K. Two new designs of laser transitions are proposed to increase the output power and operating temperature of THz QCLs. To increase the output power, a design with a two-photon scheme of laser transitions was proposed, which causes an approximately twofold slower drop in the nonlinear gain with increasing photon density. To increase operating temperatures, it is suggested to use weakly localized electron states with wave functions extending over two or more periods of the structure. The matrix element of dipole transitions in such structures is shown to be greatly increased, while the lower laser level has a larger energy gap with the injector, is less populated, and is more temperature stable compared to the conventional designs. In this case, the calculated value of the maximum operating temperature is about 250 K.
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Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 65, Nos. 5–6, pp. 505–515, May–June 2022. Russian DOI: https://doi.org/10.52452/00213462_2022_65_05_505
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Ushakov, D.V., Afonenko, A.A., Ponomarev, D.S. et al. New Designs of Laser Transitions in Terahertz Quantum–Cascade Lasers. Radiophys Quantum El 65, 461–470 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11141-023-10228-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11141-023-10228-0