High-frequency oscillations in low-dimensional conductors and semiconductor superlattices induced by current in stack direction

TL;DR

This paper investigates high-frequency voltage oscillations in low-dimensional conductors and superlattices caused by negative differential conductance, revealing a stable uniform oscillatory state influenced by antenna properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a stable uniform high-frequency oscillatory state in systems with negative differential conductance, extending understanding beyond traditional electric field domain solutions.

Findings

Identification of a stable uniform high-frequency oscillation state

Oscillation frequency determined by antenna properties

Applicability to semiconductor superlattices

Abstract

A narrow energy band of the electronic spectrum in some direction in low-dimensional crystals may lead to a negative differential conductance and N-shaped I-V curve that results in an instability of the uniform stationary state. A well-known stable solution for such a system is a state with electric field domain. We have found a uniform stable solution in the region of negative differential conductance. This solution describes uniform high-frequency voltage oscillations. Frequency of the oscillation is determined by antenna properties of the system. The results are applicable also to semiconductor superlattices.