Semiconductor-laser fundamentals : physics of the gain materials ; with 3 tables

This book presents an in-depth discussion of the semiconductor-laser gain medium. The optical and electronic properties of semiconductors, particularly semiconductor quantum-well systems, are analzyed in detail, covering a wide variety of near-infrared systems with or without strain, as well as wide-gap materials such as the group-III nitride compounds or the II-VI materials. The important bandstructure modifications and Coulomb interaction effects are discussed, including the solution of the longstanding semiconductor laser lineshape problem. Quantitative comparisons between measured and predicted gain/absorption and refractive index spectra for a wide variety of semiconductor-laser materials enable the theoretical results to be used directly in the engineering of advanced laser and amplifier structures. A walth of examples for many different material combinations bestow the book with quantitative and predictive value for a wide variety of applications. Chow introduces the mathematical methods essential to understanding and applying general relativity--tensor calculus, some differential geometry, etc.--but leaves to more advanced references derivations that a beginning student would likely find overly long and tedious. I like the fact that the author employs standard tensor analysis--which requires only basic calculus for its understanding--and resists the temptation to adopt more powerful mathematical formalisms (like exterior calculus and differential forms) used by researchers in the field. In this way, the student can concentrate on learning physics--and not be distracted by the complexities of unfamiliar mathematical methods. The book also offers comprehensive discussion of the physics of black holes. Here again the author has hit just the right level of presentation: sufficient mathematical detail to demonstrate or make plausible the physical attributes of black holes (...in contrast to “hand-waving” discussions found in popularisations of the subject), yet not so much mathematics as to lose track of the physics in an impenetrable forest of equations. An equally strong point is the author's discussion of the most exciting contemporary issues in astrophysics apart from black holes: recent measurements of the cosmic microwave background, the existence of the cosmological constant, dark matter, dark energy and the accelerated expansion of the universe. The final chapters on unification and inflation are also very well done and not generally found (as far as I can tell) in other introductory treatments of general relativity. In sum, the book is highly informative and has a user-friendly style, which should make it an attractive choice for teachers and students. Since Fall of 1993, when we completed the manuscript of our book'Semi­ conductor-Laser Physics'[W.W. Chow, S.W. Koch, and M. Sargent III (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 1994)] many new and exciting developments have taken place in the world of semiconductor lasers. Novel laser and ampli­ fier structures were developed, and others, for example, the VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) and monolithic MOPA (master oscillator power amplifier), made the transition from research and development to production. When investigating some of these systems, we discovered instances when de­ vice performance, and thus design depend critically on details of the gain medium properties, e.g., spectral shape and carrier density dependence of the gain and refractive index. New material systems were also introduced, with optical emission wave­ lengths spanning from the mid-infrared to the ultraviolet. Particularly note­ worthy are laser and light-emitting diodes based on the wide-bandgap group-III nitride and II~VI compounds. These devices emit in the visible to ultra-violet wavelength range, which is important for the wide variety of optoelectronic applications. While these novel semiconductor-laser materi­ als show many similarities with the more conventional near-infrared systems, they also possess rather different material parameter combinations. These dif­ ferences appear as band structure modifications and as increased importance of Coulomb effects, such that, e.g., excitonic signatures resulting from the at­ tractive electron-hole interaction are generally significantly more prominent in the wide bandgap systems. This Book Presents An In-depth Discussion Of The Semiconductor-laser Gain Medium. The Optical And Electronic Properties Of Semiconductors, Particularly Semiconductor Quantum-well Systems Are Analyzed In Detail, Covering A Wide Variety Of Near-infrared Systems With Or Without Strain, As Well As Wide-gap Materials Such As The Group-iii Nitride Compounds Or The Ii-vi Materials. A Wealth Of Examples For Many Different Materials Combinations Bestow The Book With Quantitative And Predictive Value For A Wide Variety Of Applications.--jacket. 1. Basic Concepts -- 2. Free-carrier Theory -- 3. Coulomb Effects -- 4. Correlation Effects -- 5. Bulk Band Structures -- 6. Quantum Wells -- 7. Applications. Weng W. Chow, Stephan W. Koch. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-240) And Index. Here it is, in a nutshell: the history of one geniuss most crucial work discoveries that were to change the face of modern physics. In the early 1900s, Albert Einstein formulated two theories that would forever change the landscape of physics: the Special Theory of Relativity and the General Theory of Relativity. Respected American academic Professor Tai Chow tells us the story of these discoveries. He details the basic ideas of Einstein, including his law of gravitation. Deftly employing his inimitable writing style, he goes on to explain the physics behind black holes, weaving into his account an explanation of the structure of the universe and the science of cosmology. "This book presents an in-depth discussion of the semiconductor-laser gain medium. The optical and electronic properties of semiconductors, particularly semiconductor quantum-well systems are analyzed in detail, covering a wide variety of near-infrared systems with or without strain, as well as wide-gap materials such as the group-III nitride compounds or the II-VI materials. A wealth of examples for many different materials combinations bestow the book with quantitative and predictive value for a wide variety of applications."--BOOK JACKET. Basic ideas of general relativity Curvilinear coordinates and general tensors Einstein's law of gravitation The Schwarzschild solution Experimental tests of Einstein's theory The physics of black holes Introduction to cosmology Big bang models Particles, forces, and unification of forces The inflationary universe The physics of the very early universe Classical mechanics The special theory of relativity. This in-depth title discusses the underlying physics and operational principles of semiconductor lasers. It analyzes the optical and electronic properties of the semiconductor medium in detail, including quantum confinement and gain-engineering effects. The text also includes recent developments in blue-emitting semiconductor lasers. The concept of a semiconductor laser was introduced by Basov et al. (1961) who suggested that stimulated emission of radiation could occur in semiconductors by the recombination of carriers injected across a p-n junction.