A study of terahertz quantum cascade lasers: Experiment versus simulation

The authors present the testing method and electrical and optical characteristics of a 4.1 THz quantum cascade laser with a four-well resonant-phonon design. The mode evolution in pulsed and continuous wave modes as a function of drive current has been investigated. An ensemble Monte Carlo model is used to analyze the carrier transport and output characteristics of the device. The calculated current density, lasing domain, and lasing frequency as a function of electric field are consistent with the measured results. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.