Modeling of Mid-Infrared Multi-Quantum Well Lasers

Threshold characteristics of mid-infrared MQW lasers have been studied theoretically. Auger recombination rates in strained quantum wells have been calculated in the framework of 8×8 Kane model taking account of spin-orbit interaction. It is demonstrated that the Auger coefficients of both CHCC and CHHS processes essentially depends on the QW parameters (strain, QW width, barrier bandgap), but have relatively weak (non-exponential) temperature dependence. It is shown that the laser characteristics can be improved for optimized laser structures, when the Auger rate is decreased.