Mapping between quantum dot and quantum well lasers: From conventional to spin lasers

TL;DR

This paper presents a mapping method that relates quantum well and quantum dot lasers, simplifying the analysis of complex quantum dot lasers by using quantum well laser models, and explores their steady-state and dynamic behaviors.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mapping procedure that approximates quantum dot laser behavior using quantum well laser models, enhancing understanding and analysis of spin lasers.

Findings

Finite capture time effects can be modeled by gain compression in quantum wells.

The mapping applies to both steady-state and dynamical laser operation.

Limitations of the mapping are discussed for different operational regimes.

Abstract

We explore similarities between the quantum wells and quantum dots used as optical gain media in semiconductor lasers. We formulate a mapping procedure which allows a simpler, often analytical, description of quantum well lasers to study more complex lasers based on quantum dots. The key observation in relating the two classes of laser is that the influence of a finite capture time on the operation of quantum dot lasers can be approximated well by a suitable choice of the gain compression factor in quantum well lasers. Our findings are applied to the rate equations for both conventional (spin-unpolarized) and spin lasers in which spin-polarized carriers are injected optically or electrically. We distinguish two types of mapping that pertain to the steady-state and dynamical operation respectively and elucidate their limitations.