Electromagnetic Modeling of Quantum-Well Infrared Photodetectors
Abstract
Our work has focused on two principal aspects: (a) developing a rigorous modal transmission-line (MTL) approach for modeling quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) and other optoelectronic devices, and (b)applying this approach to evaluate the performance of actual QWIPs, The geometry of the QWIPs may include any number of different dielectric and metallic layers. which may generally be periodic with arbitrary profiles. The theoretical part (a) was carried out for both two-dimensional lamellar and three- dimensional grid geometries. In the applied part (b), we have obtained numerical results for QWIPs under experimental study by scientists at the Army Research laboratory (ARL) and Princeton University. with whom we collaborated on a continuous basis. Our analytical results show very good agreement with the experimental data, thus establishing that our MTL modeling is both powerful and accurate. Using this approach, we have also derived design criteria for a wide variety of QWIPs, which were subsequently fabricated with specifications that conformed to our design guidelines. In addition, we have developed design procedures for new QWIPs for focal plane arrays, as well as novel QWIP geometries to be used as two-color detectors, or as spectrometers over a wide frequency range. These newer devices are presently in the fabrication stage at ARL.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 04, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA422244
Entities
People
- Theodor Tamir