Recharging instability and periodic domain structures in multiple quantum well infrared photodetectors

Using ensemble Monte Carlo particle modeling we demonstrate that monotonic electric-field distributions in multiple quantum well infrared photodetecto rs (QWIPs) can be unstable. This instability can lead to oscillatory electr ic-field and charge domains with a period equal to twice the QW structure p eriod. This effect is due to the heating of the electron gas in continuum s tates resulting in a nonlocal dependence of the capture rate on the electri c field.