Ignition of quantum cascade lasers in a state of oscillating electric field domains

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are generally designed to avoid negative differential conductivity (NDC) in the vicinity of the operation point in order to prevent instabilities. We demonstrate that the threshold condition is possible under an inhomogeneous distribution of the electric field (domains) and leads to lasing at an operation point with a voltage bias normally attributed to the NDC region. For our example, a terahertz QCL operating up to the current maximum temperature of 199 K, the theoretical findings agree well with the experimental observations. In particular, we experimentally observe self-sustained oscillations with GHz frequency before and after threshold. These are attributed to traveling domains by our simulations. Overcoming the design paradigm to avoid NDC may allow for the further optimization of QCLs with less dissipation from stabilizing background currents. (Less)