Simulating Quantum Cascade Lasers with the Position and Energy Resolving Lindblad approach

Abstract: Over the past two decades, Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) have become an increasingly popular source for mid-infrared and terahertz radiation. Nowadays, their experimental development progresses fast with the aid of computer simulations. These reproduce carrier dynamics in the gain medium of the laser based on different transport models. A fast and reliable simulation package for QCLs is key for the future realization of optimized structures. In this thesis, we have tested the validity of a recently presented QCL simulation package called Lindblad-QCL. The package is based on a heuristic and phenomenological density matrix approach: the Position and Energy Resolving Lindblad approach. We have run several QCL simulations using the Lindblad-QCL simulation package and compared the results to experimental data. These simulations provide a good qualitative description of the QCL active medium. We have extended the simulation package implementing interface roughness scattering and analysed the impact of temperature in the simulations. The results we present in this thesis show that Lindblad-QCL is a candidate to become a strong QCL simulation package.