Calculated quasi-eigenstates and quasi-eigenenergies of quantum well superlattices in an applied electric field

Abstract

We present a new technique utilizing computer simulations to determine the exact eigenstates of a quantum well superlattice of GaAs/AlGaAs in a perpendicular electric field. The technique is applied to quantify the tunability of a new infrared detector utilizing an intraconduction-band transition in the quantum well. Solutions found by this technique are compared with those found by a variational method and the Kronig–Penney model. The technique has several advantages over a conventional variational approach. It allows the easy calculation of the excited states in addition to the ground state. It is able to determine the energy levels in a finite period superlattice in addition to those in a single well. It also provides an indication of its own precision.