Longitudinal photocurrent spectroscopy of a single GaAs/AlGaAs v-groove quantum wire

TL;DR

This study uses longitudinal photocurrent spectroscopy to analyze a single GaAs/AlGaAs v-groove quantum wire, revealing conductance in ground states and temperature-dependent effects linked to structural localization.

Contribution

First detailed photocurrent spectroscopy of a single GaAs/AlGaAs v-groove quantum wire, highlighting localized states and temperature effects on carrier relaxation.

Findings

Conductance observed in ground-state subbands.

Temperature-dependent photocurrent response linked to structural localization.

QWR behaves as a series of weakly interacting localized states.

Abstract

Modulation-doped GaAs v-groove quantum wires (QWRs) have been fabricated with novel electrical contacts made to two-dimensional electron-gas (2DEG) reservoirs. Here, we present longitudinal photocurrent (photoconductivity/PC) spectroscopy measurements of a single QWR. We clearly observe conductance in the ground-state one-dimensional subbands; in addition, a highly temperature-dependent response is seen from other structures within the v-groove. The latter phenomenon is attributed to the effects of structural topography and localization on carrier relaxation. The results of power-dependent PC measurements suggest that the QWR behaves as a series of weakly interacting localized states, at low temperatures.