Effects of backward-propagating waves and lumped mirror losses on self-induced transparency modelocking in quantum cascade lasers

Work to date on self-induced transparency modelocking in quantum cascade lasers QCLs has neglected backward-propagating waves and lumped mirror losses. In this work, we remove these unrealistic assumptions. The qualitative features of the modelocking are unaffected by this improvement in the model, but the parameter regime in which stable modelocked pulses may be found is reduced. This reduction is due to incomplete gain recovery near the edges of the QCL when pulses pass through after reflecting from the mirrors, coincident with the loss of pulse energy at the mirrors. Spatial hole burning is observed in parameter regimes in which continuous waves can grow, but it does not affect the stability of the modelocking. © 2009 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.3206741