The effects of blocking the lateral current flow in multiple-quantum-well ridge waveguide lasers

The effect of blocking the lateral current flow in a multiple-quantum well InGaAsP-InP ridge waveguide laser is examined theoretically both for different ridge widths and for various transverse (growth direction) optical confinement factors. It is shown that depending on the optical confinement factor or on the number of wells, the blocking of the lateral current can either increase or decrease the threshhold current of the laser.