Regenerative pulsations in semiconductor etalon due to competition between carrier generation and heating effects on band filling

Abstract

Competition between carrier concentration and effective temperature effects on the dielectric function of a degenerate semiconductor in a spectral range near its fundamental absorption edge is suggested as a mechanism for regenerative pulsations in a stationary pumped optical etalon. The origin of self-pulsations is similar to that in a bistable etalon with competing concentration and thermal optical nonlinearities, but, due to its purely electronic nature, the proposed mechanism provides a way for a much higher repetition frequency, probably in the GHz range. The model of the phenomenon and modeling examples are all related to a Fabry–Perot resonator filled with the bulk n+-In0.53Ga0.47As as an active medium.