Monte Carlo study of intrinsic linewidths in terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Based on a coupled simulation of carrier transport and optical cavity field, the intrinsic linewidth in resonant phonon terahertz quantum cascade lasers is self-consistently analyzed. For high power structures, values on the order of Hz are obtained. Thermal photons are found to play a considerable role at elevated temperatures. A linewidth enhancement factor of 0.5 is calculated for the investigated designs. (c) 2010 Optical Society of America