Competing effects of well-barrier hole burning and nonlinear gain on the resonance characteristics of quantum-well lasers

The effects of the quantum capture and release of carriers from quantum wells (QWs) on the resonance response of QW lasers are investigated from a model of well-barrier hole burning with built-in nonlinear gain. Significant similarities and contrasts with the conventional single-mode model are noted in both the large-signal transient behavior and in the small-signal resonance characteristics. The competition between well-barrier hole burning and nonlinear gain is explored by studying of time responses, phase portraits, frequency transfer functions; and contour maps of constant resonance frequency, damping rate, and 3-dB bandwidth in the parameter spaces defined by the nonlinear gain coefficient versus the ratio of relaxation times for capture and release of carriers by the wells. A systematic treatment of the well-barrier model is presented along with these predicted dynamical trends.>