Thermal Modelling of Quantum Cascade Lasers

One of the top priorities in the development of quantum cascade laser sources is the optimization of the heat transport dynamic. We review here our experimental studies on the thermal properties of state of art quantum cascade lasers operating both in the mid-IR and THz ranges. The experimental approach is based on the investigation of the band-to-band photoluminescence signals, collected during device continuous wave operation. We measured the lattice temperature profile on the device front facet and using these data as inputs, we extract the heat dissipation patterns, the in-plane and the cross-plane active region thermal conductivities and the thermal boundary resistance for quantum cascade lasers based on different material systems.