Quantum Well Infra-Red Detectors 1: Some Calculations of Their Optical Properties
Abstract
The quantum well infrared detector is a new kind of infrared photon detector that can be made to work in the wavelength range 5 to 20 microns. This memorandum describes some theoretical calculations which illustrate the mode of operation of this detector. The initial part of the memo describes qualitatively the manner in which a quantum well system can be made into an infrared photoconductor and illustrates the optical process in such a device with some calculations of the properties of an idealised system. The second half of the memo concentrates on including some of the corrections necessary to give an accurate description of a real quantum well system and presents the design rules necessary to give a detector with a specified threshold photon energy. Keywords: Infrared detectors; Quantum theory; Optical properties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223999
Entities
People
- M. J. Kane
Organizations
- Royal Signals and Radar Establishment