We theoretically study the influence of asymmetric scattering processes on the high-frequency response of miniband electrons in a semiconductor superlattice (SSL) under the action of an AC electric field. We show that asymmetric current affects the spontaneous emission and can result in significant enhancement of even harmonics by tuning the interface quality. We model the system using the Boltzmann equation in the path integral form, treated non-perturbatively in the illuminating field by employing local boundary conditions which allow the inclusion of asymmetric relaxation times. Finally, we consider further the deviations from a completely anti-symmetric current-voltage characteristic and analyze the nonlinear response of SSL excited by a Gaussian optical pulse.
A theoretical study is presented to assess the performance of semiconductor superlattice (SL) multipliers as a function of the currently available input power sources. The prime devices that are considered as input power sources are Impatt diodes, InP Gunn devices, SL electron devices, and backward wave oscillator sources. These sources have been successfully designed to deliver input radiation frequencies in the range from 0.1 to 0.5 THz. We discuss the harmonic power generation of both odd and even harmonics by implementing an ansatz solution stemmed from a hybrid approach combining nonequilibrium Green’s functions and the Boltzmann kinetic equation.
This paper implements a simple optical method to forecast power output of superlattice multipliers which are subjected to an external GHz-THz field. These results complement a recent study which addressed the harmonic conversion efficiency in semiconductor superlattices by interface roughness design. Applying a strong ac field on such a device pumps energy into the system, which is then converted to radiation at harmonics of the pump frequency. Here we investigate the odd harmonics generation in an unbiased superlattice at room temperature, after excitation by input signals in a wide frequency range which can provided by realistic devices.
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