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Change in sign of the photocurrent in a coherent asymmetric superlattice

Appl. Phys. Lett. 67, 3560 (1995); doi:10.1063/1.114921

Issue Date: 11 December 1995

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Michael I. Sumetskii
AT&T Bell Laboratories 1A-365, 600 Mountain Avenue, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974-0636
Institut für Energieverfahrenstechnik, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

Harold U. Baranger
AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1D-230, 600 Mountain Avenue, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974-0636
We study the photocurrent induced in an asymmetric superlattice as a function of the frequency of applied radiation. In order to investigate the principal features, we consider the simplest finite-period structure: one containing an asymmetric unit formed of two narrow quantum wells. It is found that the main features of the photocurrent-frequency curve are insensitive to the number of periods. Considering a single-unit structure, we find simple equations for the photocurrent reversal points. The oscillations in sign of the photocurrent are shown to result from quantum interference of the electron waves reflected at the interfaces in the structure. Using our model, we approximate an experimental structure and explain the observed photocurrent reversal. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.
History: Received 23 February 1995; accepted 2 October 1995
Permalink: http://link.aip.org/link/?APPLAB/67/3560/1
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KEYWORDS and PACS

Keywords
PACS
  • 73.20.Dx
    Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, and thin films Surface and interface electron states Electron states in low-dimensional structures (including quantum wells, superlattices, layer structures, and intercalation compounds)
  • 73.50.Pz
    Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, and thin films Electronic transport phenomena in thin films Photoconduction and photovoltaic effects; photodielectric effects
  • YEAR: 1995

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0003-6951 (print)   1077-3118 (online)
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REFERENCES (15)
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