Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

TE- and TM-polarized optoelectronic properties of HgCdTe quantum wells

  • Special Issue Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Electronic Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A systematic investigation of the strength of TE-polarized and TM-polarized intersubband and interband transitions in narrow-gap HgCdTe quantum wells is performed using an eight-band finite-element k·p formalism. Effects of varying the well composition, well width, and applied electric field are explored for both polarizations, and the possibility of fabricating low-threshold quantum cascade lasers using this system is pointed out. Especially promising are the prospects for optically-pumped terahertz lasers based on interband transitions. Lasers emitting in the 30–45 µm wavelength range (falling in the phonon bands of III–V quantum wells), are projected to operate above liquid-nitrogen temperature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J.R. Meyer, C.A. Hoffman, T.H. Myers, and N C. Giles, in Hbk. on Semicond., Vol. 3, 2nd edition, ed. S. Mahajan (Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. Tredicucci, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, A.L. Hutchinson, and A.Y. Cho, Appl. Phys. Lett. 74, 638 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. B.F. Levine, C.G. Bethea, G. Hasnain, J. Walker, and R.J. Malik, Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 296 (1988).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. R.Q. Yang, Phys. Rev. B 52, 11958 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. I. Vurgaftman and J.R. Meyer, Appl. Phys. Lett. 75, 899 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. K. Zanio, Semicond. and Semimetals, vol. 13, ed. R.K. Willardson and A.C. Beer (New York: Academic, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  7. L.R. Ram-Mohan and J.R. Meyer, J. Nonlinear Opt. Phys. Mater. 4, 191 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. L.C. Lew Yan Voon, M. Willatzen, and L.R. Ram-Mohan, J. Appl. Phys. 78, 295 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. R.Q. Yang, J.M. Xu, and M. Sweeny, Phys. Rev.. 50, 7474 (1994).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. E. Hadji, J. Bleuse, N. Magnea, and J.L. Pautrat, Appl. Phys. Lett. 68, 2480 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. I. Vurgaftman, J.R. Meyer, J.M. Dell, T.A. Fisher, and L. Faraone, J. Appl. Phys. 83, 4286 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. B. Li, J.H. Chu, Z.H. Chen, Y. Chang, H.M. Ji, and D.Y. Tang, J. Appl. Phys. 79, 7738 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. G. Sun and J.B. Khurgin, IEEE J. Quant. Electron. 29, 1104 (1993).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. I. Vurgaftman, J.R. Meyer, F.H. Julien, and L.R. Ram-Mohan, Appl. Phys. Lett. 73, 711 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M. Rochat, J. Faist, M. Beck, U. Oesterle, and M. Ilegems, Appl. Phys. Lett. 73, 3724 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. I. Lyubomirsky, Q. Hu, and M.R. Melloch, Appl. Phys. Lett. 73, 3043 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. W.W. Bewley et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 74, 1075 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. I. Vurgaftman and J.R. Meyer, Phys. Rev. B 60, 14294 (1999).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photonics Center and Department of Physics & Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 01854, Lowell, Massachusetts

    Vinod M. Menon

  2. Department of Physics and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 01609, Worcester, Massachusetts

    L. R. Ram-Mohan

  3. Naval Research Laboratory, Code 5613, 20375, Washington, D. C.

    L. R. Ram-Mohan, I. Vurgaftman & J. R. Meyer

Authors
  1. Vinod M. Menon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. R. Ram-Mohan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. Vurgaftman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. R. Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Menon, V.M., Ram-Mohan, L.R., Vurgaftman, I. et al. TE- and TM-polarized optoelectronic properties of HgCdTe quantum wells. J. Electron. Mater. 29, 865–868 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-000-0239-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-000-0239-5

Key words

Search

Navigation