Intrinsic nonlinearity of the light-current characteristic of semiconductor lasers with a quantum-confined active region

We describe a mechanism of nonlinearity of the light-current characteristic common to heterostructure lasers with a reduced-dimensionality active region. It arises from (i) noninstantaneous carrier capture into the active region and (ii) nonlinear (in the carrier density) recombination rate outside the active region. Because of (i), the carrier density outside the active region rises with injection current above threshold, and because of (ii), the useful fraction of current (that ends up as output light) decreases. We derive a universal closed-form expression for the internal differential quantum efficiency that holds true for quantum well, quantum wire, and quantum dot lasers. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.