Si/SiGe quantum cascade superlattice designs for terahertz emission

Matmon, G. et al. (2010) Si/SiGe quantum cascade superlattice designs for terahertz emission. Journal of Applied Physics, 107(5), 053109. (doi: 10.1063/1.3319653)

Abstract

Quantum cascade lasers are compact sources that have demonstrated high output powers at THz frequencies. To date all THz quantum cascade lasers have been realized in III-V materials. Results are presented from Si1−xGex quantum cascade superlattice designs emitting at around 3 THz which have been grown in two different chemical vapor deposition systems. The key to achieving successful electroluminescence at THz frequencies in a p-type system has been to strain the light-hole states to energies well above the radiative subband states. To accurately model the emission wavelengths, a 6-band k.p tool which includes the effects of non-abrupt heterointerfaces has been used to predict the characteristics of the emitters. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy have been used along with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to fully characterise the samples. A number of methods to improve the gain from the designs are suggested.

• Item Type: Articles (Other)
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Paul, Professor Douglas
• Authors: Matmon, G., Paul, D.J., Lever, L., Califano, M., Ikonic, Z., Kelsall, R.W., Zhang, J., Chrastina, D., Isella, G., von Kanel, H., Muller, E., and Neels, A.
• Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering; Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics
• Journal Abbr.: J. App. Phys.
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• ISSN: 0021-8979
• ISSN (Online): 1089-7550
• Published Online: 08 March 2010
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2010 American Institute of Physics
• First Published: First published in Journal of Applied Physics 107(5):053109
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher