Limiting Factors to the Temperature Performance of THz Quantum Cascade Lasers Based on the Resonant-Phonon Depopulation Scheme ABSTRACT:We analyze the temperature performance of five terahertz (THz)-frequency quantum cascade lasers based on a three-quantum-well resonant-phonon depopulation design as a function of operating frequency in the 2.3–3.8-THz range. We find evidence that the device performance is limited by the interplay between two factors: 1) optical phonon scattering of thermal electrons, which dominates at shorter wavelengths, and 2) parasitic current, which dominates at longer wavelengths. We present a simple model that provides an accurate estimate of the parasitic current in these devices and predicts the dependence of the threshold current density on temperature. Did you like this research project? To get this research project Guidelines, Training and Code... Click Here facebook twitter google+ linkedin stumble pinterest Internally Integrated Active-Type Patch Antenna for Semiconductor Superlattice THz Oscillators Experimental Demonstration of an Interferometric Technique for Characterizing the Full Optical Behavior of Multi-Mode Power Detectors