Dynamic Simulation of Quantum Cascade Laser Structures with Optical Nonlinearities

A dynamic modeling approach for quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with optical nonlinearities is presented. To describe the coherent nonlinear interaction between the optical cavity field and the electrons, we use an extended Maxwell-Bloch equation model, coupled to hybrid density matrix/ensemble Monte Carlo carrier transport simulations. The resulting multidomain approach offers high numerical efficiency as required for spatiotemporally resolved simulations, and is self-consistent, avoiding the use of empirical input parameters. Numerical results are shown for a QCL-based frequency comb source, and validated against experimental data.