Phonon-plasmon interaction in tunneling GaAs/AlAs superlattices

The phonon-plasmon interaction in tunneling GaAs _n /AlAs _m superlattices (m=5and 6≥n≥0.6 monolayers) was studied by Raman scattering spectroscopy. The interaction of optical phonons localized in GaAs and AlAs layers with quasi-three-dimensional plasmons strengthens as the thickness of GaAs quantum wells decreases and the electronic states in the superlattices become delocalized due to tunneling. It is assumed that the plasmons also interact with the TO-like phonon modes localized in quantum islands or in thin ruffled layers.     

Raman scattering from GaAsAlAs monolayer-controlled superlattices

Measurements of Raman scattering were performed on (GaAs)_n?(AlAs)_n monolayer-controlled superlattices with n = 1, 2, 3 and 4 grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The zone-folding effect for longitudinal acoustic phonons and frequency shift of longitudinal optic phonons were observed. The experimental results agree well with the calculated ones according to the elastic and linear chain models.     

Photoluminescence dynamics due to exciton and free carrier transport in GaAs/AlAs superlattices

Photogenerated carrier transfer is investigated in a set of three GaAs/AlAs short-period superlattices (SPSs) with different barrier thicknesses by steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at 15–20 K as a function of excitation power. The tunneling transport of carriers is evaluated by detecting excitonic PL signals from an embedded GaAs single quantum well (SQW) in the middle of the SPS layer. We find that, as the barrier thickness is decreased, the PL intensity ratio of SQW/SPS increases systematically due to enhanced tunneling efficiencies of both electrons and holes. However, the PL intensity ratio significantly increases with decreases in the excitation power by more than two orders of the magnitude. We attribute the enhanced PL intensity of SQW relative to the SPS to the faster transport of electrons that can recombine with residual holes to form excitons in SQW. The PL dynamics of SQW and SPS thus shows unique density-dependent PL intensity and time behaviors due to variations in relative amounts of excitons and free carriers to be transported into the SQW layer.     

Wannier–Stark resonances in Zener tunneling diodes with GaAs/AlAs superlattices

We present DC transport measurements of the valence to conduction band (Zener) tunneling current in ap–i–ndiode with an ultrathin intrinsic layer containing a (GaAs)₅/(AlAs)₂multi-quantum well structure. According to recent theoretical predictions, the DC current should show maxima as a function of the reverse bias voltage that reflect the formation of Wannier–Stark resonances. So far, Wannier–Stark resonances have only been observed optically and never in a regime of strong Zener tunneling. Experimentally, we find the second derivative of the current-voltage characteristics to show a weak oscillatory structure indeed, indicating the existence of Wannier–Stark resonances in Zener tunneling.     

Photocurrent resonances in short-period AlAs/GaAs superlattices in an electric field

The photocurrent was measured as a function of the external electric field in short-period AlAs/GaAs superlattices for various photon energies. Transport resonances, whose positions do not depend on the photon energy, were observed in these dependences together with optical resonances due to interband transitions in Wannier-Stark levels. It is shown that the transport resonances are due to tunneling of photoelectrons from the p-GaAs contact region into the first level in GaAs wells located 2–5 lattice periods from the contact layer. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 159–164 (January 1999)     

Characterization of GaAsAlAs superlattices by laser-Raman spectroscopy

Measurements of Raman scattering were performed on GaAsAlAs superlattices. The lattice period ranged from 12 to 3000 Å. Phonon frequencies were shifted by changing the layer thickness. Qualitative expression of this shift and crystalline perfection are discussed.     

Time-resolved spectra and kinetics of the exciton photoluminescence in different types of GaAs/AlAs superlattices

The temperature dependence of the recombination dynamics of excitons is investigated by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy in(GaAs)_n / (AlAs)_n superlattices, where n denotes the layer thickness in monolayers, for different types of band structures. In direct-gap superlattices with a layer thickness of the order or larger than the exciton Bohr radius, the carrier dynamics is dominated by the transfer from light-hole to heavy-hole excitons. When the layer thickness becomes smaller than the exciton radius, the dynamics of free excitons is controlled by localization. vb In quasi-direct and indirect-gap superlattices, the influence of lateral potential fluctuations due to interface roughness completely governs exciton recombination.     

Forward Raman scattering in GaAs/AlAs superlattices: Study of optical phonon anisotropy

We present the forward Raman scattering study of zone-centre optical phonon anisotropy in short-period GaAs/AlAs superlattices. Experiments were performed on specially prepared superlattice structures having anti-reflection dielectric coatings and removed substrates. The experimental data are compared with the angular dispersion of superlattice optical phonons calculated within the dielectric susceptibility model. We have found a good agreement between the experimental data and the calculations taking into account interface disorder. Received 9 September 1998 and Received in final form 22 October 1998     

Donor-acceptor recombination in type-II GaAs/AlAs superlattices

A study is reported of steady-and nonsteady-state photoluminescence of intentionally undoped and uniformly silicon-doped type-II (GaAs)₇(AlAs)₉ superlattices grown by MBE simultaneously on (311)A-and (100)-oriented GaAs substrates. It has been established that at elevated temperatures (160>T>30 K) the superlattice spectra are dominated by the line due to the donor-acceptor recombination between donors in the AlAs layers and acceptors located in the GaAs layers. The total carrier binding energy to the donor and acceptor in a pair has been determined. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1734–1739 (September 1998)