Abstract
We theoretically investigate the temperature performance of GaAs-based double-resonant-phonon depopulation THz quantum cascade lasers. Based on an ensemble Monte Carlo simulation including both carrier-phonon and carrier-carrier scattering, we evaluate the temperature dependence of the different carrier transport channels and identify the detrimental factors preventing high operating temperatures. As major detrimental effects, increased leakage from the upper laser level and a deteriorating depletion efficiency of the lower laser level is found for elevated temperatures. © Springer Science+Business Media LLC 2008.