SUBMILLIMETER RADIATION EFFECT IN THE TUNNEL-COUPLED QUANTUM-WELLS UNDER INFRARED EXCITATION - A THEORETICAL-STUDY

Redistribution of the electrons between the tunnel-coupled ground leve ls in the double quantum wells (DQWs) due to the resonant infrared exc itation on the next level is considered. Intra- and interwell relaxati on of electrons is studied self-consistently, taking into account both modification of the electron states in DQWs due to the upper ground s tates occupation and heating of the electrons due to IR pumping. The e lectron populations in the tunnel-coupled states is presented as a fun ction of the DQWs parameters, doping, and IR pumping characteristics. The condition for origin of the inversive electron population, and pos sible value of the negative absorption coefficient in the submillimete r spectral region is found. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.