Abstract:
A quantum cascade laser utilizing non-resonant extraction design having a multilayered semiconductor with a single type of carrier; at least two final levels ( and ) for a transition down from level ; an energy spacing Egreater than E; an energy spacing Eof about 100 meV; and an energy spacing Eabout equal to E. The carrier wave function for level overlaps with the carrier wave function for level. Likewise, the carrier wave function for level ′ overlaps with the carrier wave function for level. In a second version, the basic design also has an energy spacing Eof about 90 meV, and levels and ′ do not have to be spatially close to each other, provided that level has significant overlap with both these levels. In a third version, there are at least three final levels (, and ) for a transition down from level. Each of the levels , and has a non-uniform squared wave function distribution.