Detection of single photons by a resonant tunneling heterostructure with a quantum dot layer

Journal Article · Sun Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063776110080194· OSTI ID:21443437

Vdovin, E E ^[1]

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1. Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microelectronics Technology and High Purity Materials (Russian Federation)

Light absorption by GaAs/AlAs heterostructures with a layer of self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) at resonant tunneling through an energy-selected QD has been investigated. A high sensitivity of the current through this selected tunneling channel to the absorption of single photons with a wavelength {lambda} {<=} 860 nm up to a temperature of 50 K is demonstrated; this sensitivity is caused by the Coulomb effect of the photoexcited holes captured by surrounding QDs on the resonance conditions. It is shown that single-photon absorption can discretely change the current through the system under study by a factor of more than 50. The captured-hole lifetimes have been measured, and a model has been developed to qualitatively describe the experimental data. It is also demonstrated that the InAs monolayer can effectively absorb photons. The properties of the heterostructure studied can be used not only to detect photons but also to design logical valves and optical memory devices.

• OSTI ID: 21443437
• Journal Information: Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 111; ISSN 1063-7761
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
BOSONS
CURRENTS
DETECTION
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
HETEROJUNCTIONS
HOLES
INDIUM ARSENIDES
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INTERFACES
LAYERS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NANOSTRUCTURES
PHOTONS
PNICTIDES
QUANTUM DOTS
RADIATIONS
RESONANCE
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SENSITIVITY
SORPTION
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TUNNEL EFFECT
VISIBLE RADIATION