Equivalent network approach for guided electron waves in quantum-well structures and its application to electron-wave directional couplers

By utilizing an analogy in electromagnetic wave propagation, an equivalent network procedure is described for guided electron waves in quantum-well structures. It relies heavily on the earlier achievements of the microwave network approach, and it involves the application of concepts and techniques in electromagnetic waves to corresponding categories of electron waves. To demonstrate the validity and usefulness of this approach, it is used to derive the properties of electron waveguides consisting of single or double quantum wells. Based on the results of the analysis of propagation characteristics of the guided electron waves in these structures, the coupling properties of the double-quantum-well electron waveguide are also examined under the coupled-mode procedure