Abstract
Theoretical analysis of lasing instability in quantum-cascade lasers was carried out. A mid-infrared quantum-cascade laser structure with triple resonance levels was chosen as the prototype of the lasing medium with high Kerr nonlinearity from optical transitions. The self-phase modulation effect induced by Kerr nonlinearity was found to possibly change the unstable frequency domain significantly, i.e., not only broaden the unstable domain but also drive it from single-mode to multi-mode. The instability mechanisms of quantum-cascade lasers include one like the coherent multi-mode Rishen-Nummedal-Graham-Haken instability and the spatial-hole-burning-induced single-mode instability.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 043519 |
Journal | Journal of Nanophotonics |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- Kerr nonlinearity
- instability
- quantum-cascade lasers
- self-phase modulation