Abstract
We describe a conceptually simple theory of dc transport of electrons across a resonant tunneling structure. Scattering processes are included by using Fermi’s golden rule between the unperturbed states of the tunneling structure. The theory describes in a natural way how the scattering processes broaden the transmission resonance from the purely coherent transmission resonance; it also shows how the scattering processes determine the valley current. The theory has no adjustable parameters. We apply it to several situations and demonstrate in particular that the valley current calculated agrees well with observation both with regard to structure in the valley current and peak-to-valley ratios.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
R. Tsu and L. Esaki, Tunneling in a finite superlattice, Appl. Phys. Lett. 22:562 (1973).
B. Ricco and M. Y. Azbel, Physics of resonant tunneling. The one-dimensional double-barrier case, Phys. Rev. B 29:1970 (1984).
M. Büttiker, Coherent and sequential tunneling in series barriers, IBM J. Res. Dev. 32:63 (1988).
N. S. Wingreen, K. W. Jacobsen, and J. W. Wilkins, Resonant tunneling with electron-phonon interaction:an exactly solvable model, Phys.Rev.Lett. 61:1396 (1988).
N. S. Wingreen, K. W. Jacobsen, and J. W. Wilkins, Inelastic scattering in resonant tunneling, Phys. Rev. B 40:11834 (1989).
M. Jonson, Quantum-mechanical resonant tunneling in the presence of a boson field, Phys.Rev.B 39:5924 (1989).
H. A. Fertig and S. Das Sarma, Elastic scattering in resonant tunneling systems, Phys. Rev. B 40:7410 (1989).
H. A. Fertig, S. He, and S. Das Sarma, Elastic-scattering effects on resonant tunneling in double-barrier quantum-well structures, Phys. Rev. B 41:3596 (1990).
J. Leo and A. H. MacDonald, Disorder-assisted tunneling through a double-barrier structure, Phys. Rev. Lett. 64:817 (1990).
F. Chevoir and B. Vinter, Calculation of phonon-assisted tunneling and valley current in a double-barrier diode, Appl. Phys. Lett. 55:1859 (1989).
F. Chevoir and B. Vinter, Calculation of incoherent tunneling and valley current in resonant tunneling structures, Surf. Sci. 229:158 (1990).
F. Chevoir and B. Vinter, (manuscript under preparation) (1990).
D. Lippens, J. L. Lorriaux, O. Vanbiesen, and L. d. S. Pol, Experimental investigations of the effect of inelastic scattering on resonant tunneling, in: Proceedings on the conference “GaAs and Related Compounds,” Karuizawa, Japan (1989), ed., Institute of Physics, p.(in the press).
A. D. Stone and P. A. Lee, Effect of inelastic processes on resonant tunneling in one dimension, Phys.Rev.Lett. 54:1196 (1985).
T. Weil and B. Vinter, Equivalence between resonant and sequential tunneling in double-barrier diodes, Appl.Phys.Lett. 50:1281 (1987).
M. Jonson and A. Grincwajg, Effect of inelastic scattering on resonant and sequential tunneling in double barier heterostructures, Appl.Phys.Lett. 51:1729 (1987).
F. W. Sheard and G. A. Toombs, Space-charge buildup and bistability in resonant-tunneling double-barrier structures, Appl.Phys.Lett. 52:1228 (1988).
V. J. Goldman, D. C. Tsui, and J. E. Cunningham, Observation of intrinsic bistability in resonant tunneling structures, Phys. Rev. Lett. 58:1256 (1987).
E. S. Alves, L. Eaves, M. Henini, O. H. Hugues, M. L. Leadbeater, F. W. Sheard, G. A. Toombs, G. Hill, and M. A. Pate, Observation of intrinsic bistability in resonant tunneling devices, Electron. Lett. 24:1190 (1988).
A. Zaslaysky, V. J. Goldman, D. C. Tsui, and J. E. Cunningham, Resonant tunneling and intrinsic bistability in asymmetric double-barrier heterostructures, Aprl. Phys. Lett. 53:1408 (1988).
P. J. Price, Electron transport in polar heterolayers, Surf. Sci. 113:199 (1982).
B. Vinter, The two-dimensional electron gas field effect transistor, in: “Heterojunctions and Semiconductor Superlattices,” G. Allan, G. Bastard, N. Boccara, M. Lannoo, and M. Voos, ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin and Heidelberg (1985) p.238.
T. Weil and B. Vinter, Calculation of phonon-assisted tunneling between two quantum wells, J.Appl.Phys. 60:3227 (1986).
T. Ando, A. B. Fowler, and F. Stern, Electronic properties of two-dimensional systems, Rev. Mod. Phys. 54:437 (1982).
J. R. Oppenheimer, Phys.Rev 31:66 (1928).
H. Sakaki, T. Noda, K. Hirakawa, M. Tanaka, and T. Matsusue, Interface roughness scattering in GaAs/AlAs quantum wells, Apt. Phys. Lett. 51:1934 (1987).
R. Göttinger, A. Gold, G. Abstreiter, G. Weimann, and W. Schlapp, Interface roughness scattering and electron mobilities in thin GaAs quantum wells, Europhys.Lett. 6:183 (1988).
V. J. Goldman, D. C. Tsui, and J. E. Cunningham, Evidence for LO-phonon-emissionassisted tunneling in double-barrier heterostructures, Phys.Rev.B 36:7635 (1987).
S. Muto, T. Inata, Y. Sugiyama, Y. Nakata, T. Fujii, H. Ohnishi, and S. Hiyamizu, Quantum well width dependence of negative differential resistance of InAlAs/InGaAs resonant tunnelint barriers grown by MBE, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26:L220 (1987).
T. Inata, S. Muto, Y. Nakata, S. Sasa, T. Fujii, and S. Hiyamizu, A pseudomorphic InGaAs/AlAs resonant tunneling barrier with a peak-to-valley current ratio of 14 at room temperature, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26:L1332 (1987).
F. Chevoir and B. Vinter, Resonant and scattering-assisted magnetotunneling, in: “Resonant Tunneling: Physics and Applications,” L. L. Chang, ed., Plenum, New York (1990).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vinter, B., Chevoir, F. (1991). Scattering Processes, Coherent and Incoherent Transport in Resonant Tunneling Structures. In: Chang, L.L., Mendez, E.E., Tejedor, C. (eds) Resonant Tunneling in Semiconductors. NATO ASI Series, vol 277. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3846-2_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3846-2_20
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6716-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3846-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive