Microscopic Modelling of Opto-Electronic Quantum Devices: A Predictive Simulation Tool

A microscopic analysis of non-equilibrium phenomena in unipolar quantum devices is presented. In particular, a global Monte Carlo simulation scheme (semiclassical as well as quantum) is employed, which allows us to directly access details of the three-dimensional carrier dynamics, without resorting to phenomenological parameters. Applications to state-of-the-art mid-infrared quantum-cascade lasers and novel far-infrared emitters are discussed. The extremely good agreement between theoretical results and experimental findings demonstrates that our approach is a valid and predictive tool for the understanding of charge transport in these quantum devices