3,565 research outputs found
Gain and Loss in Quantum Cascade Lasers
We report gain calculations for a quantum cascade laser using a fully
self-consistent quantum mechanical approach based on the theory of
nonequilibrium Green functions. Both the absolute value of the gain as well as
the spectral position at threshold are in excellent agreement with experimental
findings for T=77 K. The gain strongly decreases with temperature.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures directly include
Theoretical analysis of spectral gain in a THz quantum cascade laser: prospects for gain at 1 THz
In a recent Letter [Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 1015 (2003)], Williams et al.
reported the development of a terahertz quantum cascade laser operating at 3.4
THz or 14.2 meV. We have calculated and analyzed the gain spectra of the
quantum cascade structure described in their work, and in addition to gain at
the reported lasing energy of ~= 14 meV, we have discovered substantial gain at
a much lower energy of around 5 meV or just over 1 THz. This suggests an avenue
for the development of a terahertz laser at this lower energy, or of a
two-color terahertz laser.Comment: in press APL, tentative publication date 29 Sep 200
Nonequilibrium Green's function theory for transport and gain properties of quantum cascade structures
The transport and gain properties of quantum cascade (QC) structures are
investigated using a nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) theory which
includes quantum effects beyond a Boltzmann transport description. In the NGF
theory, we include interface roughness, impurity, and electron-phonon
scattering processes within a self-consistent Born approximation, and
electron-electron scattering in a mean-field approximation. With this theory we
obtain a description of the nonequilibrium stationary state of QC structures
under an applied bias, and hence we determine transport properties, such as the
current-voltage characteristic of these structures. We define two contributions
to the current, one contribution driven by the scattering-free part of the
Hamiltonian, and the other driven by the scattering Hamiltonian. We find that
the dominant part of the current in these structures, in contrast to simple
superlattice structures, is governed mainly by the scattering Hamiltonian. In
addition, by considering the linear response of the stationary state of the
structure to an applied optical field, we determine the linear susceptibility,
and hence the gain or absorption spectra of the structure. A comparison of the
spectra obtained from the more rigorous NGF theory with simpler models shows
that the spectra tend to be offset to higher values in the simpler theories.Comment: 44 pages, 16 figures, appearing in Physical Review B Dec 200
Gain in quantum cascade lasers and superlattices: A quantum transport theory
Gain in current-driven semiconductor heterostructure devices is calculated
within the theory of nonequilibrium Green functions. In order to treat the
nonequilibrium distribution self-consistently the full two-time structure of
the theory is employed without relying on any sort of Kadanoff-Baym Ansatz. The
results are independent of the choice of the electromagnetic field if the
variation of the self-energy is taken into account. Excellent quantitative
agreement is obtained with the experimental gain spectrum of a quantum cascade
laser. Calculations for semiconductor superlattices show that the simple 2-time
miniband transport model gives reliable results for large miniband widths at
room temperatureComment: 8 Pages, 4 Figures directly included, to appear in Physical Review
Simulation of Transport and Gain in Quantum Cascade Lasers
Quantum cascade lasers can be modeled within a hierarchy of different
approaches: Standard rate equations for the electron densities in the levels,
semiclassical Boltzmann equation for the microscopic distribution functions,
and quantum kinetics including the coherent evolution between the states. Here
we present a quantum transport approach based on nonequilibrium Green
functions. This allows for quantitative simulations of the transport and
optical gain of the device. The division of the current density in two terms
shows that semiclassical transitions are likely to dominate the transport for
the prototype device of Sirtori et al. but not for a recent THz-laser with only
a few layers per period. The many particle effects are extremely dependent on
the design of the heterostructure, and for the case considered here, inclusion
of electron-electron interaction at the Hartree Fock level, provides a sizable
change in absorption but imparts only a minor shift of the gain peak.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures included, to appear in in "Advances in Solid
State Physics", ed. by B. Kramer (Springer 2003
Microscopic modelling of perpendicular electronic transport in doped multiple quantum wells
We present a microscopic calculation of transport in strongly doped
superlattices where domain formation is likely to occur. Our theoretical method
is based on a current formula involving the spectral functions of the system,
and thus allows, in principle, a systematic investigation of various
interaction mechanisms. Taking into account impurity scattering and optical
phonons we obtain a good quantitative agreement with existing experimental data
from Helgesen and Finstad (J. Appl. Phys. 69, 2689, (1991)). Furthermore the
calculated spectral functions indicate a significant increase of the average
intersubband spacing compared to the bare level differences which might explain
the experimental trend.Comment: 10 pages 5 figure
Self-Consistent Theory of the Gain Linewidth for Quantum Cascade Lasers
The linewidth in intersubband transitions can be significantly reduced below
the sum of the lifetime broadening for the involved states, if the scattering
environment is similar for both states. This is studied within a nonequilibrium
Green function approach here. We find that the effect is of particular
relevance for a recent, relatively low doped, THz quantum cascade laser.Comment: 3 pages, figures include
The Poker Face of Inelastic Dark Matter: Prospects at Upcoming Direct Detection Experiments
The XENON100 and CRESST experiments will directly test the inelastic dark
matter explanation for DAMA's 8.9? sigma anomaly. This article discusses how
predictions for direct detection experiments depend on uncertainties in
quenching factor measurements, the dark matter interaction with the Standard
Model and the halo velocity distribution. When these uncertainties are
accounted for, an order of magnitude variation is found in the number of
expected events at CRESST and XENON100.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Optimization Schemes for Efficient Multiple Exciton Generation and Extraction in Colloidal Quantum Dots
Multiple exciton generation is a process in which more than one electron hole
pair is generated per absorbed photon. It allows us to increase the efficiency
of solar energy harvesting. Experimental studies have shown the multiple
exciton generation yield of 1.2 in isolated colloidal quantum dots. However
real photoelectric devices require the extraction of electron hole pairs to
electric contacts. We provide a systematic study of the corresponding quantum
coherent processes including extraction and injection and show that a proper
design of extraction and injection rates enhances the yield significantly up to
values around 1.6.Comment: 5 pages, accepted by The Journal of Chemical Physic
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