Lasing threshold in quantum well surface-emitting lasers: Many-body effects and temperature dependence

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Abstract
The geometry of quantum well surface‐emitting lasers has several important consequences. The ultrashort (∼1 μm) vertical cavity defines longitudinal modes with energy separation greater than the bandwidth of spectral gain. The optical confinement of these modes can approach unity. To achieve lasing, high carrier densities (∼1012 cm−2) in the quantum well are required. The confined carriers interact through enhanced many‐body exchange which influences both the lasing wavelength and threshold characteristics. Indeed, the exchange interaction can facilitate the lasing process. We theoretically and experimentally study the role of the short cavity and exchange interaction on the cw lasing threshold as a function of temperature. In constrast to edge emitters, the lasing threshold in these surface emitters exhibits a well‐defined minimum at a particular temperature. The temperature of the minimum can be designed by merely changing the active layer thickness.