Fermi's Golden Rule, Nonequilibrium Electron Capture From the Wetting Layer, and the Modulation Response in P-Doped Quantum-Dot Lasers

Electron capture from a quantum dot's (QDs) wetting layer is described by Fermi's golden rule that relates the transition rate to the density of final states. The wetting layer capture causes a brief nonequilibrium electron distribution between the QD ground state and its wetting layer states and can slow a QD laser's modulation response. This effect is studied for time constants and capture conditions relevant to self-organized InAs QDs. It is shown that even a moderately fast electron capture consistent with present low temperature measurements can limit a QD laser's modulation speed.