Advances in epitaxial growth and nanofabrication technology in the past several years have made it possible to engineer sophisticated semiconductor quantum devices with unprecedented control of their electronic and optical properties. A particularly important class of such devices is based on intersubband transitions, i.e. optical transitions between quantized electronic states in semiconductor heterostructures. Most notably, mid-infrared quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) and quantum cascade lasers nowadays offer superior performance for applications such as thermal imaging, spectroscopy, and biochemical sensing, and have recently become commercially available. Intersubband devices also have the potential for a revolutionary impact in the fields of silicon photonics, terahertz sensing, and ultra-high-bandwidth fiber-optic communications, and extensive research is ongoing to fulfill this promise. Joined by an international group of world experts, Paiella describes the basic device physics and applications of intersubband transitions, as well as the more recent and important developments in this exciting area of semiconductor nanotechnology.

Investigates and outlines the experimental technique of intersubband transitions as a solution. Covers topics such as: intersubband emission in silicon-based quantum structure, quantum dot infrared photodetectors, antimonide, quantum cascade lasers for the 3-5m atmospheric window and more.

Intersubband Transitions in Quantum Wells: Physics and Device Applications II

This book takes the reader from the very basics of III-V semiconductors (some preparation in quantum mechanics and electromagnetism is helpful) and shows how seemingly obscure results such as detailed forms of the Hamiltonian, optical transition strengths, and recombination mechanisms follow.

Intersubband transitions in quantum wells have attracted tremendous attention in recent years, mainly due to the promise of applications in the mid and far-infrared regions (2--20 mum). Many of the papers presented in Quantum Well Intersubband Transition Physics and Devices are on the basic linear intersubband transition processes, detector physics and detector application, reflecting the current state of understanding and detector applications, where highly uniform, large focal plane arrays have been demonstrated. Other areas are still in their early stages, including infrared modulation, harmonic generation and emission.

The theoretical basis and the relevant experimental knowledge underlying our present understanding of the electrical and optical properties of semiconductor heterostructures. Although such structures have been known since the 1940s, it was only in the 1980s that they moved to the forefront of research. The resulting structures have remarkable properties not shared by bulk materials. The text begins with a description of the electronic properties of various types of heterostructures, including discussions of complex band-structure effects, localised states, tunnelling phenomena, and excitonic states. The focus of the remainder of the book is on optical properties, including intraband absorption, luminescence and recombination, Raman scattering, subband optical transitions, nonlinear effects, and ultrafast optical phenomena. The concluding chapter presents an overview of some of the applications that make use of the physics discussed. Appendices provide background information on band structure theory, kinetic theory, electromagnetic modes, and Coulomb effects.

Quantum Wells, Wires and Dots Second Edition: Theoretical andComputational Physics of Semiconductor Nanostructures providesall the essential information, both theoretical and computational,for complete beginners to develop an understanding of how theelectronic, optical and transport properties of quantum wells,wires and dots are calculated. Readers are lead through a series ofsimple theoretical and computational examples giving solidfoundations from which they will gain the confidence to initiatetheoretical investigations or explanations of their own. Emphasis on combining the analysis and interpretation ofexperimental data with the development of theoretical ideas Complementary to the more standard texts Aimed at the physics community at large, rather than just thelow-dimensional semiconductor expert The text present solutions for a large number of realsituations Presented in a lucid style with easy to follow steps related toaccompanying illustrative examples

In this book, expert authors describe advanced solar photon conversion approaches that promise highly efficient photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical cells with sophisticated architectures on the one hand, and plastic photovoltaic coatings that are inexpensive enough to be disposable on the other. Their leitmotifs include light-induced exciton generation, junction architectures that lead to efficient exciton dissociation, and charge collection by percolation through mesoscale phases. Photocatalysis is closely related to photoelectrochemistry, and the fundamentals of both disciplines are covered in this volume.

An authoritative and comprehensive guide to the devices and applications of Terahertz technology Terahertz (THz) technology relates to applications that span in frequency from a few hundred GHz to more than 1000 GHz. Fundamentals of Terahertz Devices and Applications offers a comprehensive review of the devices and applications of Terahertz technology. With contributions from a range of experts on the topic, this book contains in a single volume an inclusive review of THz devices for signal generation, detection and treatment. Fundamentals of Terahertz Devices and Applications offers an exploration and addresses key categories and aspects of Terahertz Technology such as: sources, detectors, transmission, electronic considerations and applications, optical (photonic) considerations and applications. Worked examplesbased on the contributors extensive experience highlight the chapter material presented. The text is designed for use by novices and professionals who want a better understanding of device operation and use, and is suitable for instructional purposes This important book: Offers the most relevant up-to-date research information and insight into the future developments in the technology Addresses a wide-range of categories and aspects of Terahertz technology Includes material to support courses on Terahertz Technology and more Contains illustrative worked examples Written for researchers, students, and professional engineers, Fundamentals of Terahertz Devices and Applications offers an in-depth exploration of the topic that is designed for both novices and professionals and can be adopted for instructional purposes.

Written by international experts, Physics and Applications of Semiconductor Quantum Structures covers the most important recent advances in the field. Beginning with a review of the evolution of semiconductor superlattices and quantum nanostructures, the book explores fabrication and characterization techniques, transport, optical, and spin-depende