Performance aspects of a quantum-well detector

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 UTC 1988 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.340417· OSTI ID:5302383

Goossen, K W; Lyon, S A

Calculations of the quantum efficiency and detectivity of an infrared detector based on photoemission from a quantum well are presented. The detector is most efficient when a resonant-extended state exists near the top of the well. The quantum efficiency also increases with increasing electron density. However, due to screening, the absorption peaks at a higher energy than the difference of the energies of the resonant-extended and the bound states by an amount which is proportional to the carrier density in the well. This causes the detectivity (D*) to have a maximum with respect to electron density. We have estimated the dark current and found that, for a GaAs quantum-well detector designed for 10-..mu..m operation, the optimal electron density was 2 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/ at 77 K. We have also performed calculations for a quantum-well detector for which the light coupling has been enhanced by incorporating a diffraction grating into the detector. For the stated electron density, we find a D* of 2.8 x 10/sup 11/ cm Hz/sup 12/W and a quantum efficiency of 23%. If the electron density is raised to 8 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/, the quantum efficiency rises to 61%, but D* falls to 1.9 x 10/sup 10/ cm Hz/sup 12/W.

• Research Organization: Princeton University, Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
• OSTI ID: 5302383
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 63:10; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
DATA
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRON DENSITY
EMISSION
INFORMATION
INFRARED SPECTROMETERS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICS
NUCLEAR POTENTIAL
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOEMISSION
POTENTIALS
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SECONDARY EMISSION
SPECTRA
SPECTROMETERS
SQUARE-WELL POTENTIAL
THEORETICAL DATA