Short-period scattering-assisted terahertz quantum cascade lasers operating at high temperatures

Abstract

Operating at high temperatures in the range of thermoelectric coolers is essential for terahertz quantum cascade lasers to real applications. The use of scattering-assisted injection scheme enables an increase in operating temperature. This concept, however, has not been implemented in a short-period structure consisting of two quantum wells. In this work, based on non-equilibrium Green’s function calculations, it emphasizes on the current leakage and parasitic absorption via high-energy states as fundamental limitations in this scheme with short-period. A new design concept employing asymmetric wells composition is proposed to suppress these limitations. A peak gain of 40 cm ⁻¹ at 230 K is predicted in the GaAs/AlGaAs semiconductor material system with an emission frequency of 3.5 THz.