Nonlinear optical properties of GaAs/AlGaAs asymmetric triple quantum wells designed for quantum cascade lasers: Effect of externally applied electric and magnetic fields

We explore the impact of external fields on the absorption coefficients and relative refractive index changes in a quantum cascade laser profile-like heterostructure that consists of a triple asymmetric quantum well. Firstly, we solve numerically the time -independent Schro <spacing diaeresis>dinger equation by using the diagonalization method under the effective mass and parabolic band approaches, to obtain the energy levels and wavefunctions. Then, we evaluate the optical coefficients from the analytical expressions derived from the compact density matrix method. The obtained results put forth that the resonant peaks of optical coefficients shift to higher (lower) energies by increasing the value of the electric (magnetic) field. These results indicate that it would be possible to adjust the optical properties of these structures to the desired range with external fields. As a result, we hope that new optoelectronic devices based on asymmetric triple quantum wells can be developed using the features found here.