Title :
Impact ionization in THz QWIPs
Author :
Delga, A. ; Buffaz, A. ; Doyennette, L. ; Lhuillier, E. ; Jasnot, F.R. ; De Vaulchier, L.A. ; Wasilewski, Z.R. ; Liu, H.C. ; Berger, V.
Author_Institution :
Lab. MPQ, Univ. Paris Diderot, Paris, France
Abstract :
Recently phase transitions in THz quantum wells inter-subband photodetectors (QWIP) were observed. Very large current discontinuities - up to five orders of magnitude - were obtained, at low temperature. Quantum well impact ionization shifts the structure from a resistive ldquodownrdquo state, where the current flows through inter-well quantum tunneling to a highly conductive ldquouprdquo state. In this paper, thanks to the analysis of the bias versus current ldquosrdquo curve, an accurate investigation of impact ionization processes in quantum wells is analyzed. The use of these phenomena for high sensitivity quantum well THz detection will be presented.
Keywords :
impact ionisation; phase transformations; photodetectors; quantum well devices; terahertz wave detectors; THz quantum wells intersubband photodetectors; conductive up state; current discontinuities; high sensitivity detection; interwell quantum tunneling; phase transitions; quantum well THz detection; quantum well impact ionization; resistive down state; Impact ionization;
Conference_Titel :
Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 2009. IRMMW-THz 2009. 34th International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Busan
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-5416-7
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-5417-4
DOI :
10.1109/ICIMW.2009.5325592
