I–V characterization of a quantum well infrared photodetector with stepped and graded barriers

Abstract I – V characterization of an n-type quantum well infrared photodetector which consists of stepped and graded barriers has been done under dark at temperatures between 20–300 K. Different current transport mechanisms and transition between them have been observed at temperature around 47 K. Activation energies of the electrons at various bias voltages have been obtained from the temperature dependent I – V measurements. Activation energy at zero bias has been calculated by extrapolating the bias dependence of the activation energies. Ground state energies and barrier heights of the four different quantum wells have been calculated by using an iterative technique, which depends on experimentally obtained activation energy. Ground state energies also have been calculated with transfer matrix technique and compared with iteration results. Incorporating the effect of high electron density induced electron exchange interaction on ground state energies; more consistent results with theoretical transfer matrix calculations have been obtained.