Comparison of Gain Properties with Electron–Electron and Electron—LO-Phonon Interactions in Quantum Cascade Structure

The gain properties of (AlN)m/(GaN)n superlattice-based quantum cascade structure are investigated by using a nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) theory. In this theory, the electron-electron interaction and electron—LO-phonon interaction are both considered. The gain spectra of QCL are calculated from some current-driven items, which are derived from these two interactions. The results show that the effect of the electron-electron interaction is notable in the low-photon-energy range and the electron—LO-phonon interaction only takes effect in the high-photon-energy range, where photon energy is close to or larger than LO-phonon energy of GaN materials. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)