DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF OPTICALLY-PUMPED MIDINFRARED INTERSUBBAND SEMICONDUCTOR-LASERS

We show that self-consistent simulations of asymmetric coupled double- quantum wells (ACQW) can be used efficiently to increase significantly the optical performances of optically-pumped mid-infrared intersubban d semiconductor lasers by increasing the electron concentration in the quantum well. Our calculations, which account for screening effect an d degenerate statistics, show optical gain in excess of 100/cm for pum ping intensity of 39 kW/cm(2) can be achieved. Owing to hot electron e ffects, the stimulated gain at 77 K is insensitive to the phonon reson ance for pumping intensities larger than 400 kW/cm(2).