Physics Of Intersubband Semiconductor Emitters

01.10.2004 - 30.09.2012
Forschungsförderungsprojekt
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 in 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 full 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 parameters of Sb-based heterostructure systems which could lead to the development of intersubband sources and modulators at télécoms wavelengths. Another exciting prospect arises from exploiting the non-linear optical properties of QCL structures to produce a wide 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 functionality. 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 #

Personen

Projektleiter_in

Projektmitarbeiter_innen

Institut

Grant funds

  • European Commission (EU) FP7 III. PEOPLE (Marie Curie Actions) 7.Rahmenprogramm für Forschung European Commission - Framework Programme European Commission Call identifier -- Application number 512450

Forschungsschwerpunkte

  • Photonics: 50%
  • Special and Engineering Materials: 5%
  • Nano-electronics: 10%
  • Telecommunication: 10%
  • Sensor Systems: 5%
  • Design and Engineering of Quantum Systems: 10%
  • Materials Characterization: 10%

Schlagwörter

DeutschEnglisch
QCLQuantum Cascade Lasers
Nichtlineare OptikNonlinear Optics
Quanten-Kaskade LaserQuantum Cascade Lasers

Publikationen