No abstract

Photocurrent measurements have been performed on a quantum cascade detector structure under strong magnetic field B applied parallel to the growth axis. The photocurrent shows oscillations as a function of B. In order to describe this behavior, we have developed a rate equation model. The interpretation of the experimental data supports the idea that an elastic scattering contribution plays a central role in the behavior of these structures. We present a calculation of the electron lifetime versus magnetic field which suggests that impurities scattering in the active region is the limiting factor. These experiments lead to a better understanding of these complex structures and identify key parameters to optimize them further.

In terahertz quantum well infrared photodetectors, a built-in-charge-mediated regime transition of the electronic transport is thoroughly investigated. The very strong current discontinuity and negative differential resistivity behavior are explained in terms of band structure reorganizations. The analysis of bias versus current measurements reveals that the transition occurs when the first two wells of the structure become partially drained, and the second well enters the ionized regime before the first one. Both many-body effects and a careful model of the contact have to be considered to account for these features. The source of the built-in charge is identified as intersubband impact ionization. The regime transition is one of its few experimental proofs, and provides an original approach to investigate hot electron kinetics in multi-quantum-well structures.