Wavefunction engineering towards high-performance terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Abstract In the quest for high-performance terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), this study introduces a generalized wavefunction engineering approach to efficiently control state populations at elevated temperatures. Analyzing known two-well structures and their limitations, a three-well Q...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Seyed Ghasem Razavipour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10080-4
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Summary:Abstract In the quest for high-performance terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), this study introduces a generalized wavefunction engineering approach to efficiently control state populations at elevated temperatures. Analyzing known two-well structures and their limitations, a three-well QCL design based on a direct depopulation scheme is proposed. Employing a combination of rate equations-density matrix and NEGF modelings, our design achieves superior performance at 290 K by simultaneously optimizing injection coupling, thermal back-filling, and electron escape rates from upper and lower lasing states to parasitic states.
ISSN:2045-2322