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Physics and Applications of Terahertz Radiation pp 3–34Cite as

Quantum Well Photodetectors

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Part of the book series: Springer Series in Optical Sciences ((SSOS,volume 173))

Abstract

The progress in semiconductor optoelectronics has now reached a level where commercial systems for generation and detection of radiation over the whole infrared spectrum are available. At lower frequencies, semiconductors dominate the electronics and microwave world since ever. Semiconductors are then expected to play a fundamental role in THz science also, this spectral range being the bridge between the two worlds. The success of semiconductor infrared detectors has been made possible by the development of the quantum well, the fundamental building block of all bandgap engineered structures. Here in the first sections the fundamental physical aspects of semiconductor quantum wells and intersubband transitions are resumed, along with a discussion about how they are used in quantum well infrared and THz detectors. A review of the current progress on the subject can be found in the last sections, including a mention to quantum dot detectors, which appear to be the future of semiconductor infrared detectors.

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  1. CNR Istituto Nanoscienze, Piazza S. Silvestro 12, 56124 , Pisa, Italy

    Fabrizio Castellano

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  1. Fabrizio Castellano
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Correspondence to Fabrizio Castellano .

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  1. Center for Materials and Microsystems Smart Optical Sensors & Interfaces, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Povo, Italy

    Matteo Perenzoni

  2. School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Douglas J. Paul

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Castellano, F. (2014). Quantum Well Photodetectors. In: Perenzoni, M., Paul, D. (eds) Physics and Applications of Terahertz Radiation. Springer Series in Optical Sciences, vol 173. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3837-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3837-9_1

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