Filtering electrons by mode coupling in finite semiconductor superlattices

TL;DR

This paper investigates electron transmission in semiconductor superlattices, revealing how mode coupling and resonance conditions lead to band-pass tunneling, with implications for complex electronic and photonic systems.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of mode coupling and resonance effects in finite superlattices, advancing understanding of electron transmission mechanisms.

Findings

Identification of Bloch and resonant modes related to superlattice structure

Overlap of bands due to shared wells causes band-pass tunneling

Resonance coupling enhances electron transmission efficiency

Abstract

Electron transmission through semiconductor superlattices is studied with transfer matrix method and resonance theory. The formation of electron band-pass transmission is ascribed to the coupling of different modes in those semiconductor superlattices with the symmetric unit cell. Upon Fabry-P\'erot resonance condition, Bloch modes and two other resonant modes are identified to be related to the nature of the superlattice and its unit cell, respectively. The bands related to the unit cell and the superlattice overlap spontaneously in the tunneling region due to the shared wells, and the coupling of perfectly resonances results in the band-pass tunneling. Our findings provide a promising way to study electronic systems with more complicated superlattices or even optical systems with photonic crystals.