Nonlinear conduction and space charge wave generation in semiconductor superlattices

Christophe Minot; H. Le Person; Jean Francois Palmier; Jean Christophe Harmand

doi:10.1117/12.175903

6 May 1994 Nonlinear conduction and space charge wave generation in semiconductor superlattices

Christophe Minot, H. Le Person, Jean Francois Palmier, Jean Christophe Harmand

Proceedings Volume 2142, Ultrafast Phenomena in Semiconductors; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.175903
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Negative differential velocity is evidenced in semiconductor superlattices through several experimental approaches: temperature dependence of the current-voltage characteristics, frequency spectrum of the microwave S-parameters, and time-resolved photocurrent induced by a short optical pulse. In particular, new experimental data for GaInAs/AlInAs superlattices matched to InP are analyzed owing to classical models. They yield the miniband width dependence of the mobility, critical field and peak velocity which describe the electron velocity laws. The latter are in fair agreement with a semiclassical model based on numerical solutions of the Boltzmann equation, i.e., a rigorous extension of the simpler Esaki-Tsu model of miniband conduction. In the dynamical experiments, the temporal evolution of the electron distribution in the superlattice structure is represented in terms of propagating space charge waves, which can give rise to amplification and oscillation. Consequences of miniband conduction regarding maximum frequency and noise of superlattice-based oscillators are also examined.

Citation Download Citation

Christophe Minot, H. Le Person, Jean Francois Palmier, and Jean Christophe Harmand "Nonlinear conduction and space charge wave generation in semiconductor superlattices", Proc. SPIE 2142, Ultrafast Phenomena in Semiconductors, (6 May 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.175903

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