Monte Carlo simulation of carrier transport and output characteristics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers

An ensemble Monte Carlo method, including electron-phonon, electron-electron, electron-impurity scatterings and the hot phonon effect, is used to simulate the carrier transport and output characteristics of a lasing terahertz quantum cascade laser. A simulated I-V curve fits well with the measurement at the lasing domain. Extracted output characteristics, e.g., the gain, threshold current density, and threshold bias, are in good agreement with the experimental results. All the above indicate that the proposed Monte Carlo model is a useful tool for investigating the physical characteristics of terahertz quantum cascade lasers, as well as for analyzing and optimizing device performances.