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Filtering electrons by mode coupling in finite semiconductor superlattices
Xiaoguang Luo1,2, Jian Shi3, Yaoming Zhang3,4
1Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an, 710072, China. iamxgluo@nwpu.edu.cn.
Scientific Reports
|May 7, 2022
Summary
Electron transmission through semiconductor superlattices exhibits band-pass behavior due to mode coupling. This phenomenon, explained by resonance theory, offers insights into electronic and photonic systems.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum mechanics
- Materials science
Background:
- Semiconductor superlattices exhibit unique electron transport properties.
- Understanding electron transmission is crucial for designing advanced electronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of electron band-pass transmission in semiconductor superlattices.
- To identify the resonant modes responsible for this phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Transfer matrix method
- Resonance theory
- Analysis of Bloch modes and resonant modes
Main Results:
- Electron band-pass transmission arises from the coupling of different modes.
- Fabry-Pérot resonance conditions reveal Bloch modes and unit-cell-related resonant modes.
- Overlapping bands from unit cells and superlattices lead to band-pass tunneling.
Conclusions:
- The coupling of perfect resonances in semiconductor superlattices creates band-pass tunneling.
- Findings can be extended to study complex electronic and photonic systems.
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