Vertical transport in GaAs/GaAlAs QW-GRIN structures studied by photocurrent spectroscopy

Klaus H. Herrmann; Jens Wolfgang Tomm

doi:10.1117/12.368330

4 November 1999 Vertical transport in GaAs/GaAlAs QW-GRIN structures studied by photocurrent spectroscopy

Klaus H. Herrmann, Jens Wolfgang Tomm

Proceedings Volume 3890, Fourth International Conference on Material Science and Material Properties for Infrared Optoelectronics; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.368330
Event: Material Science and Material Properties for Infrared Optoelectronics, 1998, Kiev, Ukraine

Abstract

GaAs/GaAlAs quantum well (QW) structures for graded index (GRIN) near IR injection lasers have been studied by polarization dependent photocurrent spectroscopy in the spectral region of QW transitions and in a wide range of temperatures 20 K <EQ T <EQ 375 K. The photocurrent has been measured under short-circuit conditions for the electric vector of the light wave parallel to the plane of the waveguide (TE) as well as perpendicular to the plane of the waveguide (TM). Distinct edges are observed in the quantum efficiency spectra and attributed to the onset of transitions form the heavy hole to electron and light hole to electron subbands, respectively. The observation of different spectral features in TE and TM spectra is discussed in terms of selection rules and mode coupling into the waveguide. Edge positions are compared with calculations of the well states. Coulomb interaction manifests itself in the occurrence of n equals 1 excitonic lines at the hh1-e1, 1h1-e1 and 1h2-e2 subband edges. Temperature dependent measurements indicate mechanisms for carrier escape form the QW. At intermediate temperatures the photocurrent is thermally activated, an explanation in terms of thermionic emission theory is given, and the justification of assuming thermalized non-equilibrium carriers is discussed for different transitions. The observed activation energy is correlated with the energy scale in the QW. At low temperatures the temperature dependence is weak, carrier escape is explained by tunnelling. At the highest temperatures the quantum efficiency decreases again, this is attributed to the growing influence of recombination.

Citation Download Citation

Klaus H. Herrmann and Jens Wolfgang Tomm "Vertical transport in GaAs/GaAlAs QW-GRIN structures studied by photocurrent spectroscopy", Proc. SPIE 3890, Fourth International Conference on Material Science and Material Properties for Infrared Optoelectronics, (4 November 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.368330

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Quantum wells

Waveguides

Polarization

Quantum efficiency

Absorption

GRIN lenses

Temperature metrology

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years