PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT IN COUPLED QUANTUM-WELLS UNDER INTERSUBBAND EXCITATION

The photovoltaic effect in tunnel-coupled double quantum wells (DQWs) due to resonant infrared (IR) excitation of the electrons from the low er ground state to the excited stale is considered. Intra- and interwe ll relaxation of electrons are studied self-consistently, taking into account modification of the electron slates in DQWs due to the upper g round stale occupation under IR pumping. The photninduced potential is calculated for different energies of IR excitation, and the correlati on between this potential and modification of the ground stales in DQW s is discussed. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.