Gain spectra of quantum wires with inhomogeneous broadening

• Published in: IEEE journal of quantum electronics Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 705 - 712
• Main Authors: Zarem, H., Vahala, K., Yariv, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.04.1989; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Electronic transport in interface structures; Exact sciences and technology; Fabrication; Laser theory; Optical arrays; Optical noise; Physics; Quantum dots; Quantum mechanics; Quantum well lasers; Threshold current; Wave functions; Wires
• ISSN: 0018-9197; 1558-1713
• DOI: 10.1109/3.17334

The effects of fabricational variations on the gain spectra of quantum wires are calculated within the limits of first-order perturbation theory. Gain spectra and density of states for 50-AA-radius and 150-AA-radius cylindrical quantum wires are calculated and plotted for several different fabrication tolerances. The wave functions for a finite, cylindrical potential are calculated and a quasicritical radius, below which the carriers are weakly confined by the potential, is established. This sets a lower limit on quantum wire size. Upper limits on the size of quantum wells, quantum wires, and quantum boxes are also discussed. The threshold current and differential gain of quantum-wire lasers and quantum wire array lasers are calculated. These calculations indicate a possible reduction in threshold current of one to two orders of magnitude as compared to the best quantum-well lasers.< >