On the incoherence of quantum transport in semiconductor heterostructure optoelectronic devices

P. Harrison, Z. Ikonić, N. Vukmirović, D. Indjin, R. W. Kelsall, V. D. Jovanović

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper compares and contrasts different theoretical approaches with experimental measurements of transport in optoelectronic devices based on semiconductor heterostructures. The Monte Carlo method which makes no a priori assumptions about the carrier distribution in momentum or phase space is compared with less computationally demanding energy-balance rate equation models which assume thermalised carrier distributions. It is shown that the two approaches produce qualitatively similar results for the specific case of hole transport in p-type Si1-xGex/Si superlattices designed for terahertz emission though there are significant differences which originate in the absolute values of the carrier kinetic energy in the plane of the quantum wells. In contrast to this, simulations of electron transport in n-type GaAs/Ga1-xAlxAs terahertz quantum cascade lasers show a more similar behaviour between both theoretical approaches. In addition, the very good comparison with experiment substantiates the Incoherent scattering approach which underpins both methods. Further evidence to support the applicability of carrier transport in semiconductor heterostructures at finite temperature being dominated by incoherent scattering, which can be modelled by self-consistent energy-balance rate equations, is given by further comparisons with experimental measurements of two other categories of devices namely quantum well infrared photodetectors and quantum dot infrared photodetectors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th Biennial Baltic Electronics Conference 2006
PublisherIEEE
Pages11-18
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)1424404150
ISBN (Print)9781424404142
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Feb 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event10th International Biennial Baltic Electronics Conference 2006 - Tallinn, Estonia
Duration: 2 Oct 20064 Oct 2006
Conference number: 10

Publication series

NameInternational Baltic Electronics Conference
PublisherIEEE
Volume2006
ISSN (Print)1736-3705
ISSN (Electronic)2382-820X

Conference

Conference10th International Biennial Baltic Electronics Conference 2006
Abbreviated titleBEC 2006
Country/TerritoryEstonia
CityTallinn
Period2/10/064/10/06

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