Quantum-Well Plasma Instability in the Resonant Tunneling Regime

Abstract : The resonant tunneling is accompanied by the accumulation of the 2D electrons in the well between the barriers of the double-barrier heterostructures. It leads to the I-V curve of Z-type in the high-quality structures. We have shown that it also leads to the instability of the 2D plasmons in the quantum well. The build up of the instability can give rise to the lateral static domains in the tunnel current, that in its turn results in the kinks in the region of the central arm of Z of the I-V curve.