Electronic structure of GaAs-Ga1−xAlxAs quantum well and sawtooth superlattices

Abstract

We report pseudopotential calculations concerning the electronic structure of GaAs-${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{-}\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$As sawtooth (100) superlattice of period 140 Å. We present energy levels and electron charge densities of the confined states and compare them with our results for the usual quantum-well structure. In both systems we find new resonances and confined states with large amplitudes at interfaces. Our results also shed fresh light upon the microscopic origin of the confinement effect.