Quantum-well intermixing in GaAs-AlGaAs structures using pulsed laser irradiation

We report the use of a pulsed laser irradiation technique, using multiphoton absorption, to promote quantum-well intermixing (QWI) in double-quantum-well GaAs-AlGaAs laser structures. The process requires neither ion implantation nor the deposition of dielectric caps. Differential bandgap shifts of up to 40 meV have been obtained between the control and the laser irradiated samples. Bandgap tuned lasers were fabricated from the intermixed samples and exhibited negligible changes in slope efficiency and only small increases (15%) in threshold current compared to as-grown devices.