The ability to engineer the bandstructure and the wavefunction over length scales previously inaccessible to technology using artificially structured materials and nanolithography has led to a new class of electron semiconductor devices whose operation is controlled by quantum effects. These structures not only represent exciting tools for investigating new quantum phenomena in semiconductors, but also offer exciting opportunities for applications. This book gives the first comprehensive treatment of the physics of quantum electron devices. This interdisciplinary field, at the junction between material science, physics and technology, has witnessed an explosive growth in recent years. This volume presents a detailed coverage of the physics of the underlying phenomena, and their device and circuit applications, together with fabrication and growth technology.

The book deals with the physics, operating principles and characteristics of the important quantum well devices, namely, the High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT), Resonant Tunneling Diode (RTD), Quantum Well Laser (QWL), Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP), Modulator and Switch. The basic physical concepts on which these devices are based are discussed in detail with necessary diagrams and mathematical derivations. The growth of heterostructures, theories and experiments on band offset, theories and experimental results on electron states, optical interaction phenomena, and electron transport are discussed as the background material. Practical aspects and up-to-date developments and applications of the devices are also covered. This book will be of interest to researchers and specialists in the field of Solid State Technology, Optics and Optoelectronics. It can also serve as a textbook for graduate students and new entrants in the exciting field of quantum electronics. This book takes the reader from the introductory stage to the advanced level of the construction, principles of operation, and application of these devices.

This volume includes highlights of the theories and experimental findings that underlie essential phenomena occurring in quantum-based devices and systems as well as the principles of operation of selected novel quantum-based electronic devices and systems. A number of the emerging approaches to creating new types of quantum-based electronic devices and systems are also discussed.

This textbook, based on the authors’ class-tested material, is accessible to students at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level in physics and engineering. While its primary function is didactic, this book’s comprehensive choice of topics and its clear and authoritative synthesis of ideas make it a useful reference for researchers, device engineers, and course instructors who wish to consolidate their knowledge of this field. The book takes the semi-classical approach where light is treated as a wave in accordance with the classical Maxwell equations, while matter is governed by quantum theory. It begins by introducing the postulates and mathematical framework of quantum theory, followed by the formalism of the density matrix which allows the transition from microscopic (quantum) quantities to macroscopic (classical) ones. Consequently, the equations describing the reaction of matter to the electromagnetic field in the form of polarization, magnetization, and current are derived. These equations (together with the Maxwell equations) form the complete system of equations sufficient to model a wide class of problems surrounding linear and nonlinear interactions of electromagnetic fields with matter. The nonlinear character of the governing equations determines parameters of the steady-state mode of the quantum generator and is also demonstrated in harmonic generation via propagation of laser radiation in various media. The touchstone description of magnetic phenomena will be of interest to scientists who deal with applications of magneto-resonance phenomena in biology and medicine. Other advanced topics covered include electric dipole transitions, magnetic dipole transitions, plasma transitions, and the devices that can be based on these and other electro-optical and nonlinear-optical systems. This textbook features numerous exercises, some of which are investigatory and some of which require computational solutions.

Quantum well devices have been the objects of intensive research during the last two decades. Some of the devices have matured into commercially useful products and form part of modern electronic circuits. Some others require further dev- opment, but have the promise of being useful commercially in the near future. Study of the devices is, therefore, gradually becoming compulsory for electronics specialists. The functioning of the devices, however, involve aspects of physics which are not dealt with in the available text books on the physics of semicond- tor devices. There is, therefore, a need for a book to cover all these aspects at an introductory level. The present book has been written with the aim of meeting this need. In fact, the book grew out of introductory lectures given by the author to graduate students and researchers interested in this rapidly developing area of electron devices. The book covers the subjects of heterostructure growth techniques, band-offset theory and experiments, electron states, electron-photon interaction and related phenomena, electron transport and the operation of electronic, opto-electronic and photonic quantum well devices. The theory as well as the practical aspects of the devices are discussed at length. The aim of the book is to provide a comprehensive treatment of the physics underlying the various devices. A reader after going through the book should find himself equipped to deal with all kinds of quantum well devices.

This book provides a review of research on single-electron devices and circuits in silicon. It considers the design, fabrication, and characterization of single-electron transistors, single-electron memory devices, few-electron transfer devices such as electron pumps and turnstiles, and single-electron logic devices. In all cases, a review of various device designs is provided, and in many cases, the devices developed during the author's own research work are used as detailed examples. An introduction to the physics of the single-electron charging effects is also provided.

Principles of Optical Fiber Measurements focuses on the optical fiber systems, which are being added to the telephone networks of various countries around the world. This book explores the significance of optical fiber systems in the increasing variety of fiber-related products on the market. Comprised of seven chapters, this book starts with an overview of the fiber fabrication process with emphasis on the method of measurements to reduce fiber loss in the field of optical communication. This text then examines the special methods to measure extremely low dispersion in single-mode fibers. Other chapters consider the measurement requirements of commercial fiber manufacturers to allow them to specify their products as well as for fiber users to verify that they get what they expect. The final chapter deals with the various measurement methods for determining the V value of fibers as well as the geometrical dimensions of fibers and preforms. This book is a valuable resource for specialists and readers who desire a better understanding of fiber specifications.

Technology of Quantum Devices offers a multi-disciplinary overview of solid state physics, photonics and semiconductor growth and fabrication. Readers will find up-to-date coverage of compound semiconductors, crystal growth techniques, silicon and compound semiconductor device technology, in addition to intersubband and semiconductor lasers. Recent findings in quantum tunneling transport, quantum well intersubband photodetectors (QWIP) and quantum dot photodetectors (QWDIP) are described, along with a thorough set of sample problems.