Temperature dependence of the threshold current of QW lasers

The temperature dependence of the threshold current in GaInAs-based laser structures has been studied in a wide temperature range (4.2 ≤ T ≤ 290 K). It is shown that this dependence is monotonic in the entire temperature interval studied. Theoretical expressions for the threshold carrier density are derived and it is demonstrated that this density depends on temperature linearly. It is shown that the main contribution to the threshold current comes from monomolecular (Shockley-Read) recombination at low temperatures. At T > 77 K, the threshold current is determined by radiative recombination. At higher temperatures, close to room temperature, Auger recombination also makes a contribution. The threshold current grows with temperature linearly in the case of radiative recombination and in accordance with T ³ in the case of Auger recombination.