Self-consistent analysis of resonant tunneling current

Abstract

We investigated the current-voltage characteristics of the double barrier, resonant tunneling structure, using a self-consistent method. We note the significance of the effects of band bending and buildup of space charge in the quantum well. For the peak current, our calculated results agree with the measured results very well. However, the measured valley current is much greater than the calculated values.

Comment on ‘‘Observation of a negative differential resistance due to tunneling through a single barrier into a quantum well’’ [Appl. Phys. Lett. 4 9, 70 (1986)]

“…More elaborate models show that the inclusion of band bending and self-consistent band calculations tend to raise both the resonant current and the voltage necessary to reach resonance. 5 Even our model, which also excludes scattering and the exact interaction between r and X vaHey transport in AlAs barriers, yields numbers that are consistent with the experimental results. The point may be raised that a control sample was used in the experiment.…”

Resonant tunneling diodes: models and properties

“…Several versions of the self-consistent solution, with varying degrees of approximation, now exist. Ohnishi et al assume in their calculation that thermal equilibrium is maintained outside the barriers while the injected electrons are transported ballistically through and between the barriers [18]. Cahay et al, however, assume quantum ballistic transport through the whole region between the contacts [19].…”

“…The density matrix is defined as (17) Its temporal evolution is given by the Liouville equation (18) where [ ] is the Poisson bracket and is the Liouville operator. Equation (18) can be written in the following form for device modeling (19) Based on Wigner's definition, the Wigner function is the Fourier transform of the one-particle density (matrix) operator (20) Alternatively, by performing the Wigner transformation for the Schrödinger equation, one arrives at the Liouville transport equation, which gives the time evolution of the Wigner function for device modeling (21) where the time derivative with subscript denotes a term due to scattering and is the potential. In a simple form, the device is assumed to obey the Liouville equation (22) where is the collision operator (23) and is the transition rate from to .…”

Numerical Simulation of Current Dependence on Well Widths in AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs Double Barrier Diode Structures

“…The coupl i ng b etween the RTD and reservoi rs pro vi des di ssipa ti on and sustai ns a steady, no nequi l i bri um current Ûow [4]. Because of the resonant tunnel i ng of el ectro ns thro ugh RTD structures and the observ ati on of negati ve di˜erenti al resista nce (ND R ) i n DBR TD structure at ro om tem pera ture and resona nt tunnel i ng of ho l es [5] i t ha s received special attenti on. The ori gi nal pi cture of the RTD as a Fabry { Pero t resonato r fo r electro ns i s deÙned by Tsu and Esaki and i s develop ed further by Kel di sh [6].…”