Quantum Simulating the Electron Transport in Quantum Cascade Laser Structures

Abstract

Ultracold fermionic atoms are proposed to be used in 1D optical lattices to quantum simulate the electronic transport in quantum cascade laser (QCL) structures. The competition between the coherent tunneling among (and within) the wells and the dissipative decay at the basis of lasing is discussed. In order to validate the proposed simulation scheme, such competition is quantitatively addressed in a simplified 1D model. The existence of optimal relationships between the model parameters is shown, maximizing the particle current, the population inversion (or their product), and the stimulated emission rate. This substantiates the concept of emulating the QCL operation mechanisms in cold-atom optical lattice simulators, laying the groundwork for addressing open questions, such as the impact of electron-electron scattering and the origin of transport-induced noise, in the design of new-generation QCLs. IntroductionQuantum cascade lasers (QCLs) [1,2] are among the most striking examples of how quantum mechanics is nowadays at the

Intensity Correlations in Quantum Cascade Laser Harmonic Frequency Combs

“…Finally, we believe that our measurements and the related analysis can substantially contribute to the development of a dedicated model of the intensity correlation among the modes in QCL‐combs, which is still missing. In this framework, quantum simulations of electron transport in their active medium could be crucial [ 40 ] for identifying which parameters can suitably contribute to a future generation of QCLs with nonclassical noise.…”

Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers as Enabling Quantum Technology

“…[27] After their demonstration as key devices in many molecular sensing applications, QCLs recently emerged as ideal laser sources for a plethora of sophisticated applications, such as high-resolution and high-precision spectroscopy, [28] frequency metrology, [29] and, more recently, for applications in quantum science or as models for atomic quantum simulations. [30] Most of these applications require high-frequency stability with a tight control of the frequency or phase jitter or, [27] Copyright 2018, De Gruyter.…”

“…Along this line, quantum simulation with atoms (fermions) of electron transport in the quantum cascade laser structure has been recently proposed, to optimize the QCL design. [ 30 ] Interaction of THz radiation with matter represents an additional, twofold, motivation for its exploitation in quantum technologies applications. Firstly, most molecular rotational transitions are resonant with THz radiation; secondly, THz propagation in free space undergoes orders of magnitude less scattering effects than visible light, due to the much longer wavelength: the drawback of THz propagation in air, however, is represented by the strong water vapor absorption.…”