Mechanisms of carrier transport and temperature performance evaluation in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

摘要

Electron transport in GaN/AlGaN and GaAs/AlGaAs terahertz quantum cascade lasers is calculated using a fully self-consistent intersubband scattering model with thermal balancing. Subband populations and carrier transition rates are calculated and all relevant intra- and inter-period electron―electron and electron―LO-phonon scattering mechanisms are included. In particular, the influence of the lattice temperature on relevant scattering rates, carrier lifetimes and the population inversion is investigated in both cases.