Past exam of the laser science and quantum information processing course of the University of Oxford / 2015 / 1 / d / Solution

A double heterostructure laser places a lower-band gap active layer between wider-band gap layers with suitable type-I band alignment. The band offsets confine injected electrons and electron holes in the same small volume, increasing their overlap and reducing escape. Usually the active layer also has larger refractive index, so the same sandwich forms an optical waveguide. Optical confinement increases the gain-overlap factor $\Gamma$, while carrier confinement lowers the injection needed to reach the required quasi-Fermi-level splitting. These two distinct mechanisms reduce threshold current and heating. A band gap difference alone does not establish the sign of both confinement barriers; suitable band offsets are essential.