Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Negative differential conductance and bistability in undoped GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum-cascade structures

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lu, SL; Schrottke, L; Teitsworth, SW; Hey, R; Grahn, HT
Published in: Journal of Applied Physics
August 11, 2006

We discuss the mechanisms for negative differential conductance (NDC) and bistable behavior observed in the current-density-electric-field (j-F) characteristics of undoped GaAs/Al 0.45Ga 0.55As quantum-cascade structures (QCSs). While the j-F characteristic of a QCS with a single period exhibits NDC without bistability, NDC and a bistable behavior are observed for a QCS with 20 periods of the same design. Calculations using a scattering-rate model neglecting any field inhomogeneities show that the interplay of resonant tunneling between the states in the QCS with resonant scattering of longitudinal optical phonons can lead to NDC in both structures. However, the bistable behavior in the QCS with 20 periods can only be explained if an inhomogeneous field distribution due to charge accumulation is taken into account in addition to the NDC. The abrupt decrease of the current density at the field strength of the bistability is attributed to a rapid decrease of the accumulated charge, which is confirmed by electric-field-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Applied Physics

DOI

ISSN

0021-8979

Publication Date

August 11, 2006

Volume

100

Issue

2

Related Subject Headings

  • Applied Physics
  • 51 Physical sciences
  • 49 Mathematical sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 09 Engineering
  • 02 Physical Sciences
  • 01 Mathematical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lu, S. L., Schrottke, L., Teitsworth, S. W., Hey, R., & Grahn, H. T. (2006). Negative differential conductance and bistability in undoped GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum-cascade structures. Journal of Applied Physics, 100(2). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2214362
Lu, S. L., L. Schrottke, S. W. Teitsworth, R. Hey, and H. T. Grahn. “Negative differential conductance and bistability in undoped GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum-cascade structures.” Journal of Applied Physics 100, no. 2 (August 11, 2006). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2214362.
Lu SL, Schrottke L, Teitsworth SW, Hey R, Grahn HT. Negative differential conductance and bistability in undoped GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum-cascade structures. Journal of Applied Physics. 2006 Aug 11;100(2).
Lu, S. L., et al. “Negative differential conductance and bistability in undoped GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum-cascade structures.” Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 100, no. 2, Aug. 2006. Scopus, doi:10.1063/1.2214362.
Lu SL, Schrottke L, Teitsworth SW, Hey R, Grahn HT. Negative differential conductance and bistability in undoped GaAs/(Al,Ga)As quantum-cascade structures. Journal of Applied Physics. 2006 Aug 11;100(2).
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Applied Physics

DOI

ISSN

0021-8979

Publication Date

August 11, 2006

Volume

100

Issue

2

Related Subject Headings

  • Applied Physics
  • 51 Physical sciences
  • 49 Mathematical sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 09 Engineering
  • 02 Physical Sciences
  • 01 Mathematical Sciences