Thermal breakdown, bistability, and complex high-frequency current oscillations due to carrier heating in superlattices

Authors
Steuer, H Wacker, A Scholl, E Ellmauer, M Schomburg, E Renk, KF
Citation
H. Steuer et al., Thermal breakdown, bistability, and complex high-frequency current oscillations due to carrier heating in superlattices, APPL PHYS L, 76(15), 2000, pp. 2059-2061
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science
Journal title
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
ISSN journal
00036951 → ACNP
Volume
76
Issue
15
Year of publication
2000
Pages
2059 - 2061
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-6951(20000410)76:15<2059:TBBACH>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
The impact of electron heating on vertical electrical transport in superlat tices is shown to cause an S-shaped current-voltage characteristic in addit ion to the conventional N type occurring at lower fields. Our calculations are supported by experimental data. The combination of S- and N-type instab ilities leads to a modified structure of the high-field domains associated with self-generated GHz oscillations. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physic s. [S0003-6951(00)00315-6].