OPTICAL-SPECTRA AND AUGER RECOMBINATION IN SIGE SI HETEROSTRUCTURES IN 10 MU-M RANGE OF WAVELENGTHS/

We discuss the possibility of using p-type SiGe/Si multiple quantum we ll structures for infrared detection. We calculated the miniband dispe rsion in these structures using an empirical pseudopotential method in cluding the effects of spin and strain. The absorption spectra of thes e structures is discussed and the microscopic origin of the absorption peaks identified. We present comparisons between our calculated absor ption response and the experimental spectra obtained in recent experim ents for both parallel and normal incidence light. We also report full -scale pseudopotential calculations of the Auger recombination in thes e structures and present a fresh discussion of the conditions which co uld help to minimize this recombination. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limit ed