A theoretical study of quantum well terahertz lasers 

Donovan, K.; Harrison, P.; Kelsall, R.W.; Kinsler, P. 

    Institute of Microwaves and Photonics, 
    School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 
    University of Leeds, 
    Leeds LS2 9JT,
    United Kingdom.

    Terahertz Electronics Proceedings, 223 - 226 (1998).
       IEEE Sixth International Conference on Terahertz Electronics


A theoretical study is made of a GaAs/AlGaAs triple quantum well structure
with the aim of developing a three level laser to emit in the terahertz region
of the spectrum. The population inversion necessary for laser emission to take
place is estimated by calculating the net nonradiative transition rates. It is
found that the most effective way of achieving a population inversion is by
depopulation to a strongly coupled state. The population inversion can be
increased further by decreasing the barrier width between the quantum wells
associated with the two lowest energy levels.  

Email: Dr.Paul.Kinsler@physics.org