Abstract

Since the first reports of quantum size effects in thin-layer GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructures,¹ there has been increasing interest in the laser properties of these structures.^2-5A variety of laser structures have been studied including conventional double-heterostructure lasers having as an active region a single quantum well,^4,6 or several quantum wells with thin barriers,^3,7,0 and superlattices,⁸ which contain enough quantum wells and barriers to behave as pseudobulk material. We review the operation of quantum well heterostructure (QWH) lasers, describe various QWH and superlattice laser structures, discuss recent studies of new QWH laser designs, and consider advances which hold promise for integrated optoelectronic device structures.

© 1983 Optical Society of America