In-plane polarization dependence of gain in strained quantum-wire lasers with strain-compensating barriers

In-pane polarization dependence of gain in compressively strained quantum-wire (Q-wire) lasers with strain-compensating barriers (SC) is investigated. Strained Q-wire lasers with SC barriers and a cavity normal to wire axis should provide minimum transparency carrier density. In moderately wide Q-wires, highest peak material gain is obtained with lattice-matched barriers when the cavity is parallel to the wire axis. Polarization dependence of the gain in the presence of elastic strain relaxation shows non-trivial dependence on wire width due to a complicated interaction between elastic strain relaxation and quantum size effects.