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Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1894–1897 (2000)

Finite Flux Solutions of the Quantum Boltzmann Equation and Semiconductor Lasers

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Yuri V. Lvov1,* and Alan C. Newell2,†
1Department of Mathematical Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180
2Department of Mathematics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom

Received 28 January 1999; published in the issue dated 28 February 2000

We propose and illustrate in the context of the semiconductor laser that, in nonequilibrium fermionic systems with sources and sinks, the family of finite flux stationary solutions of the quantum Boltzmann equation is central and more important then the zero flux Fermi-Dirac spectrum. We present the quantum analog of the finite flux Kolmogorov spectra which are central to understanding nonequilibrium classical systems such as high Reynolds number hydrodynamics and the wave turbulence encountered in water waves, plasmas, and optics. In particular, we show how semiconductor laser efficiency can be improved by maximizing the flux of carriers (electrons and holes) towards the lasing frequencies.

© 2000 The American Physical Society

URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.1894
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.1894
PACS:
42.55.Px, 52.25.Dg

*Email address: lvovy@rpi.edu

Email address: anewell@maths.warwick.ac.uk