Quantum well electro-absorption in a strong electric field: a continuum spectrum approach

Abstract

Starting from the continuous energy spectrum of a quantum well subjected to a perpendicular electric field, electro-absorption is analysed within the effective-mass approximation. The electric field considered is assumed to be strong enough that the exciton effects may be neglected. The influence of the difference between the well and bulk effective masses on the electron and hole wavefunctions, as well as on absorption, is thoroughly discussed. The absolute values of the well absorption are determined for a couple of examples.

Calculation of the dark current in a quantum well infrared photodetector

“…In the present work the continuum is considered as the continuous distribution of states [30,31] characterized by the density of states ρ(E f ). The peak positions in ρ(E f ) correspond to the quasi-bound state energies in the continuum [31].…”

“…The peak positions in ρ(E f ) correspond to the quasi-bound state energies in the continuum [31]. Therefore in our calculation the summation over f is converted to an integral over energy distributions in the continuum, whereas in the ET model the summation was taken over quasi-bound states.…”

Analytic methods for field induced tunneling in quantum wells with arbitrary potential profiles

“…(18) in eq. (15) for a single Ö , ©´Þ Ø µis derived as [16] ©´Þ Ø µ © Þ µ ´ Ö ¾ µØ (27) where Ø ¼. The time-dependent effective mass is given by [ …”

“…(8) in eq. (16) yields ¾´ µ as[26,27] Ä . In the vicinity of the resonance energy, ¾´ µ is given by the Breit-Wigner formula Ö is obtained by locating the maximum of ¾´ µ.…”

Intersubband electroabsorption spectra of semiconductor quantum wells

“…However the sample length used in the experimental measurements of the electroabsorption is typically much larger than 1 m, and it is more appropriate to consider an infinitely large confining box. Furthermore the difference in effective masses inside and outside the quantum well is important, 13 and the finitetemperature carrier distribution would also affect the line shape of the electroabsorption spectrum. Thus, the theoretical results presented in Ref.…”