Finite-element modeling of one- and two-dimensional MQW semiconductor optical waveguides

A finite-element characterization of optical waveguides incorporating multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structures is presented. Optical modeling of a planar MQW region is tested to verify that the quantum-well region can be replaced by a homogeneous region with a suitable effective index. Optical modeling of a semiconductor laser incorporating MQW regions with two-transverse-dimensional confinement is then used to identify the range of single-lateral-mode operation. The effective index, the power fraction in the active region, and the spot size dependence on the total optical power for the case of a self-defocusing MQW region are also presented.<
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