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Content archived on 2024-05-29

Physics of intersubband semiconductor emitters

Objective

Recent years have seen spectacular advances in the performance and functionality of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) based on intersubband transitions in III-V semiconductor quantum wells. There remain, however, a large number of relatively unexplored areas i n QCL research which offer the potential to raise performance to still higher levels, as well as shedding light on new areas of semiconductor device physics. For example, rapid non-radiative intersubband scattering by LO-phonon emission places fundamental limits on optical gain in current QCL designs, which could potentially be overcome by reducing dimensionality by application of high magnetic fields or by novel structures exploiting semiconductor quantum dots. Similarly, there is considerable need for a f ull understanding of the processes that lead to optical gain in THz QCLs, where the intersubband separation is below the LO phonon energy. The potential for short wavelength operation would be greatly enhanced by improved knowledge of the electronic parame ters of Sb-based heterostructure systems which could lead to the development of intersubband sources and modulators at telecoms wavelengths. Another exciting prospect arises from exploiting the non-linear optical properties of QCL structures to produce a w ide range of operating wavelengths by second harmonic and sum/difference frequency generation. Related studies of structures incorporating photonic crystal waveguides and/or exploiting surface plasmon effects also promise to lead to key advances in QCL fu nctionality. The proposed research training network brings together 9 European leaders in the fields of quantum cascade lasers and non-linear optics to form a coherent body of expertise which is strongly placed to investigate these fundamental areas which promise to underpin the next generation of QCLs and other intersubband devices. The proposed research programme will provide the focus for over 400 months of Early Stage and Experienced Researcher training.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

FP6-2002-MOBILITY-1
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

RTN - Marie Curie actions-Research Training Networks

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
EU contribution
No data
Total cost
No data

Participants (9)