Magnetotransport in quantum cascade detectors: analyzing the current under illumination

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 206
• Main Authors: Jasnot, François-Régis, Péré-Laperne, Nicolas, de Vaulchier, Louis-Anne, Guldner, Yves, Carosella, Francesca, Ferreira, Robson, Buffaz, Amandine, Doyennette, Laetitia, Berger, Vincent, Carras, Mathieu, Marcadet, Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer New York 09.03.2011; BioMed Central Ltd; SpringerOpen; Springer
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter; International Conference on Superlattices; Materials Science; Molecular Medicine; Nano Express; Nanochemistry; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanostructures and Nanodevices (ICSNN 2010); Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Physics; Landau Level; Elastic Scattering; GaAs; Growth Axis; Magnetic Field
• ISSN: 1556-276X; 1931-7573; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-6-206

Photocurrent measurements have been performed on a quantum cascade detector structure under strong magnetic field applied parallel to the growth axis. The photocurrent shows oscillations as a function of B . In order to describe that 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 those structures. We present a calculation of 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 give key parameters to optimize them further.