Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Quantum Fluctuations in Semiconductor Lasers

✍ Scribed by Dr. Edeltraud Gehrig, Professor Ortwin Hess (auth.)

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 225
• Series: Springer Tracts in Modern Physics 189
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Modern advanced semiconductor lasers show complex spatio-temporal dynamics of the emitted light. The interaction of light and matter is determined by a variety of nonlinear and quantum-optical processes that occur on various time and length scales. The active medium directly couples the microscopic ultrafast processes of the charge carriers and interband dipoles with the spatio-temporal dynamics of the optical fields. The dynamic interplay of spontaneous and induced emission determines the amplification of ultrashort optical signals and the performance of high-power lasers. Realization of novel waveguide structures and external feedback allow control of laser emission. Quantum dot media provide novel customized gain media by directly harnessing quantum effects.

This book presents fundamental theories and simulations of the spatio-temporal dynamics and quantum fluctuations in semiconductor lasers. The dynamic interplay of light and matter is theoretically described by taking into account microscopic carrier dynamics, spatially dependent light field propagation and the influence of spontaneous emission and noise. Computer simulations reveal the internal spatio-temporal dynamics of quantum well and quantum dot in-plane lasers, high-power amplifiers and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. The theories and simulations provide the basis for the interpretation of measured emission properties and may serve as a predictive guideline for the design of advanced semiconductor lasers

✦ Table of Contents

Introduction to Semiconductor Lasers....Pages 1-12
Semiconductor Laser Theory: The Maxwell--Bloch Equations....Pages 13-24
The Active Carrier Plasma: Ultrafast Microscopic Dynamics and Spatio-Spectral Gratings....Pages 25-50
High-Speed Dynamics of Semiconductor Lasers....Pages 51-64
Polarization Fluctuations and Dynamics of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers....Pages 65-94
Nonlinear Pulse Propagation and Solitons in Active Semiconductor Media....Pages 95-112
Spatio-Spectral Wave Mixing in High-Power Amplifier and Laser Systems....Pages 113-146
Mesoscopic Theory for Quantum Dot Lasers....Pages 147-180
Delayed Optical Feedback and Control of Spatio-Temporal Dynamics....Pages 181-198
Spatially Inhomogeneous Luminescence in Semiconductor Lasers....Pages 199-226
Index....Pages 227-230

✦ Subjects

Laser Technology, Photonics;Quantum Optics;Optical and Electronic Materials