Accession Number:

ADA429632

Title:

Effects of Classical and Quantum Charge Fluctuations on Sequential Electron Tunneling in Multiple Quantum Wells

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB KIRTLAND AFB NMSPACE VEHICLES DIRECTORATE

Personal Author(s):

• Huang, Danhong
• Cardimona, D. A.

Report Date:

2003-09-15

Pagination or Media Count:

10.0

Abstract:

A previous theory M. Ershov et al., Applied Physics Letters, v67, 3147 1995 for studying the distribution of nonuniform fields in multiple quantum-well photodetectors under an ac voltage is generalized to include nonadiabatic space-charge-field effects. From numerical results calculated by the generalized theory, it is found that field-domain effects are only important at high temperatures or high voltages, where both injection and sequential-tunneling currents are expected to be large. On the other hand, field-domain effects become negligible at low temperatures and low voltages, but nonadiabatic effects included in this extended theory are enhanced for small sequential-tunneling currents. The time duration for nonadiabatic effects is determined by the quantum capacitance. By using the generalized theory, a differential capacitance is calculated for a non-steady state, and a negative conduction current is predicted under a positive voltage, in this case due to charge accumulation around the collecting contact.

Descriptors:

• *TUNNELING(ELECTRONICS)
• *ALTERNATING CURRENT
• *PHOTODETECTORS
• *ADIABATIC CONDITIONS
• *MULTIPLE QUANTUM WELLS
• STEADY STATE
• SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
• REPRINTS
• LOW TEMPERATURE
• HIGH TEMPERATURE
• ELECTRON DENSITY
• NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
• ELECTRIC FIELDS
• DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
• LOW VOLTAGE
• CAPACITANCE
• HIGH VOLTAGE

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Quantum Theory and Relativity
• Solid State Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE