Published 12 issues per year
ISSN Print: 0040-2508
ISSN Online: 1943-6009
Indexed in
Program Package for Studying Semiconductor Laser Properties
ABSTRACT
Modern progress in science and technology is intimately related to processing and transmitting large amounts of mformation, and optical fiber communication systems are the most advanced technological means for information transmission. Perspective mobile wide-band systems and the technologies of electronic image processing are also based on fiber optics. The key elements of these systems are multiple-layer semiconductor heterostructures with quantum confinement. The principal requirements for optimal transmitter systems are an increase in transmission rate and improvement of its quality; the realization of these requirements is determined by the quality of semiconductor lasers. In this connection, main efforts are concentrated on the studies of laser radiation sources.
When designing laser devices, one has to take into account the necessity to accurately predict variations in the optical and electrical properties of the device (optical amplification, threshold current, generation of higher modes, etc.) under a control action. There exists a large number of structure types (among the most promising, we can mention multiple quantum-well (MQW) lasers [4], superlattice [1] and asymmetric triple quantum-well [2] lasers, vertical cavity lasers [6]), as well as a great variety of production technologies and operation conditions. Thus the only practical solution of the problem is to use computer simulation techniques based on the detailed mathematical description of the corresponding physical processes. Computer simulation makes it possible to determine most of the technical and technological parameters and characteristics without performing any complicated and expensive experiments.
When simulation systems such as Ptolemy developed by Massachusetts University are used for this purpose, the result cannot be quickly obtained, since in such systems the required physical models are not realized. The aids for modeling fiber optics element existing at present, e.g., OptiWAVE, are designed primarily for calculating the parameters of optical fibers and ducts. They do not provide for a complete modeling of laser structures, since only approximate calculations are possible. Moreover, these commercial products are expensive. Therefore, it is expedient to construct our own systems for modeling laser radiating sources of various types.