Terahertz emission from square wells in a longitudinal electric field

Terahertz emission accompanying heating of two-dimensional electrons by a strong electric field applied along size-quantized GaAs/AlGaAs layers is observed and investigated. The emission is due to indirect optical transitions of hot electrons in the bottom size-quantization band. The experimentally obtained emission spectra are compared with the spectra calculated taking into account scattering of electrons by optical phonons, impurities, and interfacial roughness and electron-electron scattering. Satisfactory agreement is obtained. The temperature of the hot electrons is determined from a comparison of the spectra. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 7, 507–511 (10 April 1998)     

超短超强激光与固体靶相互作用中背表面光发射的实验研究

从金属箔背表面测量了超热电子穿越固体靶产生的光发射.光发射积分成像图案呈圆环状，在圆环边缘附近出现局部化明亮光信号确定为光学渡越辐射；光发射光谱在300—500nm之间出现一系列非周期锐利尖峰，在400nm（2ω）附近的尖峰较明显，这个光发射取决于v×B加 热机制产生的超热电子束的微束团引起的相干渡越辐射，(v为电子电度，B为磁场强度)，光 强随靶厚度的增加而减小. 关键词： 超热电子 光发射 光学渡越辐射 v×B加热机制 相干渡越辐射     

利用渡越辐射研究超热电子在固体靶中的输运过程

为了探索超热电子的输运过程，在100 TW掺钛蓝宝石飞秒激光器上利用光学CCD相机和OMA光学多道分析仪，分别在靶背表面法线方向测量了光发射空间分布图案和光谱. 实验测量结果显示，光发射空间分布图案呈圆盘状，在圆盘中明亮而强的光信号呈局部化分布，该现象表明，超热电子在输运的过程中存在成丝效应，引起严重的不稳定性；光发射光谱在3倍频和3/2倍频附近出现尖峰，分别是3次谐波和3/2次谐波，这一现象归因于超热电子束在传输的过程中产生的微束团而引起的相干渡越辐射(CTR)；光发射光强随靶厚度的增加而减小. 关键词： 超热电子 相干渡越辐射 输运 不稳定性     

Inter- and intra-subband relaxation of hot electrons in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells

In this work, we have studied the inter- and intra-subband scattering of hot electrons in quantum wells using the hot electron-neutral acceptor luminescence technique. We have observed direct evidence of the emission of confined optical phonons by hot electrons excited slightly above the n=2 subband in GaAs/Al_0.37Ga_0.63As quantum wells. Scattering rates of photoexcited electrons via inter- and intra-subband LO phonon emission were calculated based on the dielectric continuum model. We found that, for wide wells with the Al composition of our experiments, both the calculated and experimental results suggest that the scattering of the electrons is dominated by the confined LO phonon mode. In the calculations, scatterings among higher subbands are also dominated by the same type of phonon at well width of 10 nm.     

Polarised hot electron luminescence in p-GaAs: Electric field effects

Electrons photo-excited to high-energy conduction band states of GaAs exhibit complex energy and momentum distributions determined by the anisotropic valence band structure and the optical matrix elements. In p-type GaAs a fraction of these hot electrons combine with localised acceptor states, producing a hot electron luminescence (HEL) spectrum with a cascade of peaks corresponding to discrete energy losses resulting from LO-phonon emission. The highest peak involves unscattered electrons, and their energy distribution is due to warping of the initial heavy-hole (HH) bands. We report measurements of the line shape of this 0-HH peak, and its polarisation profile which identifies emission from electrons along particular directions. An applied electric field of 1 kV cm⁻¹ distorts the hot electron momentum distribution, and this is reflected in the polarisation profile. These line shapes and profiles, with and without field, are calculated using a computer model incorporating a band structure and optical matrix elements, the effect of electric field being included using a k-broadening model. The data and model are in good quantitative agreement assuming an electron lifetime of 100 fs, and confirm the expected differences in the profiles for different excitation polarisation states and applied field directions.     

Anisotropic and polarized intraband light emission of hot electrons

Far infrared luminescence of hot electrons in InSb have been studied. The emission probabilities derived in the second order perturbation are obtained for different scattering mechanisms: acoustic phonons, optical phonons and impurities. The origin of anisotropy and polarization of the light emission due to anisotropy of the electron distribution function under the electric field is described theoretically and calculated using the Monte Carlo method. The theoretical conclusions are confirmed by the experiment.     

Diffusion process of electrons injected from STM tip into AlGaAs/GaAs quantum wells

We have investigated the electron diffusion process in Al_0.3Ga_0.7As/GaAs quantum well (QW) structures by means of scanning tunneling microscope light emission (STM-LE) spectroscopy. The optical measurements were performed on a cleaved (1 1 0) surface at room temperature. The STM-LE spectra were measured by injecting hot electrons from the tip positioned at different distances from the QWs. The emission intensity from individual wells as a function of the tip-well distance was found to decay with two distinct decay constants. From comparison with Monte Carlo simulations for hot electron relaxation, we found that the intervalley scattering from the Γ valley to the L and X valleys has the most significant effect on the diffusion process of the injected electrons.     

超短脉冲激光辐照固体靶背向光发射的测量

利用光学CCD相机和OMA光学多道分析仪,分别在金属箔背表面法线方向测量了光发射的积分成像光谱和散射光光谱。积分成像光谱测量结果显示,光谱呈圆环状,在圆环边缘附近出现局部化明亮光信号确定为超热电子输运穿越固体靶引起的光学渡越辐射(OTR);散射光光谱测量结果显示,光谱在300～500 nm之间出现一系列非周期锐利尖峰,在400 nm(2ω)附近出现的尖峰归结于v×B加热机制产生的超热电子束中的聚束引起的相干渡越辐射(CTR)。渡越辐射光强随靶厚度的增加而减小。     

Fluid Model of a Sheath Formed in Front of an Electron Emitting Electrode Immersed in a Plasma with Two Electron Temperatures

The formation of a sheath in front of a negatively biased electrode (collector) that emits electrons is studied by a one‐dimensional fluid model. Electron and ion emission coefficients are introduced in the model. It is assumed that the electrode is immersed in a plasma that contains energetic electrons. The electron velocity distribution function is assumed to be a sum of two Maxwellian distributions with two different temperatures, while the ions and the emitted electrons are assumed to be monoenergetic. The condition for zero electric field at the collector is derived. Using this equation the dependence of electron and ion critical emission coefficients on various parameters ‐ like the ratio between the hot and cool electron density, the ratio between hot and cool electron temperature and the initial velocity of secondary electrons ‐ is calculated for a floating collector. A modification of the Bohm criterion due to the presence of hot and emitted electrons is also given. The transition between space charge limited and temperature limited electron emission for a current‐carrying collector is also analyzed. The critical potential, where this transition occurs, is calculated as a function of several parameters like the Richardson emission current, the ratio between the hot and cool electron density, the ratio between hot and cool electron temperature and the initial velocity of secondary electrons. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Theory of hot electron magnetophonon resonance in longitudinal magnetic fields

Longitudinal magnetoresistance of hot electrons in n—InSb at low temperatures is calculated taking into account the quantization of the conduction band into Landau subbands. Negative magnetoresistance and magnetophonon resonance minima are obtained as combined effects of inter-subband transition and optical phonon emission.     

近相对论强度激光与薄膜靶相互作用中靶厚度对超热电子发射方向的影响

研究了近相对论强度的激光脉冲与薄膜靶相互作用中，靶厚度对超热电子发射方向的影响.实验发现，随着靶厚度的增加，靶后超热电子的发射方向向靶的法线方向移动，同时电子束的发散角变大.结果分析表明，靶背面电荷分离场强度的变化是影响电子发射方向的主要原因. 关键词： 飞秒激光脉冲 超热电子 靶厚度     

Emission of terahertz radiation from selectively doped AlGaN/GaN heterostructures under the heating of two-dimensional electrons by an electric field

The emission of terahertz radiation from a AlGaN/GaN heterostructure under the heating of two-dimensional electrons in a lateral electric field is studied. The field dependence of the temperature of hot electrons is determined from an analysis of experimental volt-ampere characteristics. A theoretical model of the thermal radiation of hot two-dimensional electrons is considered, and the calculation results are compared with an experiment on terahertz radiation emission.     

Optical spectroscopy of graphene: From the far infrared to the ultraviolet

The unique electronic structure of graphene leads to several distinctive optical properties. In this brief review, we outline the current understanding of two general aspects of optical response of graphene: optical absorption and light emission. We show that optical absorption in graphene is dominated by intraband transitions at low photon energies (in the far-infrared spectral range) and by interband transitions at higher energies (from mid-infrared to ultraviolet). We discuss how the intraband and interband transitions in graphene can be modified through electrostatic gating. We describe plasmonic resonances arising from the free-carrier (intraband) response and excitonic effects that are manifested in the interband absorption. Light emission, the reverse process of absorption, is weak in graphene due to the absence of a band gap. We show that photoluminescence from hot electrons can, however, become observable either through femtosecond laser excitation or strong electrostatic gating.     

高偏压金属─绝缘体─金属结的光发射

我们制作了一种可在６—１１Ｖ偏压范围内均匀发射可见光的新型金属—绝缘体—金属结型发光器件，其内层结构是Ａｌ－Ａｌ２Ｏ３－ＭｇＦ２－Ａｎ（Ｃｕ），其承受偏压、单位面积发光功率及相应的外量子效应高过迄今已知的Ｍ－Ｏ－Ｍ遂道结型发光器件．本文首次报导并论证了这一由Ｓｃｈｏｔｔｋｙ热电子所激发的光发射及其物理图象：Ｓｃｈｏｔｔｋｙ热电子在ＡＯ（Ｃｕ）－真空界面激发表面等离极化激元（ＳＰＰ）；Ａｕ（Ｃｕ）－真空界面的ＳＰＰ通过表面粗糙度与外光子耦合．这一图象与该器件的电流—电压（Ｉ—Ｖ）、电流—温度（Ｉ－Ｔ）关系及其发射光谱的主要特征一致．     

超强飞秒激光与固体靶产生的超热电子加热机制

 在SILEX-1激光器上测量了超强飞秒激光与Ta靶相互作用产生的出射超热电子能谱及角分布，研究了出射超热电子加热机制。激光脉宽为 30 fs，激光功率密度为8.5×10¹⁸ W/cm²。靶前法线方向超热电子温度为550 keV。从实验结果可知：共振吸收是靶前法线方向超热电子主要加热机制，这与靶前存在大密度标长预等离子体的实验条件吻合。靶厚为6～50 μm时，靶后超热电子沿法线方向出射；靶厚为2 mm时，该发射峰消失。     

超热电子的产生与输运背向辐射的实验研究

报道了在100TW fs激光器上采用电子磁谱仪和光学CCD积分成像相机分别对激光-固体靶相互作用在靶背方向产生的超热电子能谱及其光学渡越辐射进行的测量。能谱测量结果显示：超热电子能谱呈单温类-麦克斯韦分布,拟合的温度为107keV;光学渡越辐射(OTR)测量结果显示：OTR是由于超热电子输运穿越固体靶所致,而辐射区域呈圆盘状、有发散角、有光强分布;如果考虑超热电子的产生和加热机制,则占主导地位的加热机制是共振吸收对电子的加热。     

Hall mobility of hot electrons in CdS

Photo-Hall effect of hot electrons in a pure single crystal of CdS was observed, for the first time. The measurement was carried out for electric fields up to 4,300 V/cm in magnetic fields up to 40 kOe at 4.2 K. The saturation of the drift velocity V_d of electrons due to optical phonon emission was observed. The saturated value of V_d is found to be about 1.7 × 10⁷ cm/sec.     

Temperature dependent energy relaxation time in AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructures

The two-dimensional (2D) electron energy relaxation in Al_0.25Ga_0.75N/AlN/GaN heterostructures was investigated experimentally by using two experimental techniques; Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) effect and classical Hall Effect. The electron temperature (T_e) of hot electrons was obtained from the lattice temperature (T_L) and the applied electric field dependencies of the amplitude of SdH oscillations and Hall mobility. The experimental results for the electron temperature dependence of power loss are also compared with the current theoretical models for power loss in 2D semiconductors. The power loss that was determined from the SdH measurements indicates that the energy relaxation of electrons is due to acoustic phonon emission via unscreened piezoelectric interaction. In addition, the power loss from the electrons obtained from Hall mobility for electron temperatures in the range T_e > 100 K is associated with optical phonon emission. The temperature dependent energy relaxation time in Al_0.25Ga_0.75N/AlN/GaN heterostructures that was determined from the power loss data indicates that hot electrons relax spontaneously with MHz to THz emission with increasing temperatures.     

利用亮度波形证明固态阴极射线发光

制备了3种结构的器件：A: ITO/SiO₂/Alq₃/Al, B: ITO/Alq₃/SiO₂/Al,C: ITO/SiO₂/Alq₃/SiO₂/Al。对于器件A和B,在正向偏压(ITO接正极)下才能观察到发光;而对于器件C,在正向和反向偏压下都可以观察到发光。随着电压升高,器件B和C产生的蓝色发光相对绿光逐渐增强。这主要是由于SiO₂中的加速电子碰撞激发Alq₃发光层产生热电子,并与空穴形成电子空穴对,复合产生蓝光;而对于器件A,在反向偏压下被热电子碰撞激发出的空穴与正向偏压下从Al电极进入的电子复合形成激子,产生绿色发光。这些结构的器件发光不但可来源于电子与积累的空穴复合,而且也来自固态阴极射线发光。     

Luminescence from hot electrons relaxing by LO phonon emission in p-GaAs and GaAs doping superlattices

Laser excited hot electrons in GaAs relax by LO phonon emission within a few hundred femtoseconds, leading to a series of peaks in the distribution of hot electrons in the conduction band, which we observe in luminescence. We find that the luminescence peaks shift according to the acceptor binding energy for C?, Ge?, Zn?, and Be-p-doped GaAs layers grown by MBE and LPE. Thus we prove that recombination is between hot electrons and neutral acceptors. The series of peaks due to electrons from the heavy hole band agree well with $\text{k}\text{.}\text{p}$ band structure, while peaks due to those from light holes are about 15 meV lower than expected from the band structure. We show that the discrepancy is not due to heating or surface fields. The peak separation in the luminescence ladder is about 6% larger than the LO energy suggesting emission of renormalised LO phonons. We find thermalisation by LO emission also in GaAs nipi doping superlattices. In nipi crystals the emission is shifted to higher energies (by 12 meV for light and by 6 meV for heavy holes) due to a change in band structure caused by the space charge fields.