Quantum Wire Superlattices and Coupled Quantum Box Arrays: A Novel Method to Suppress Optical Phonon Scattering in Semiconductors

Abstract

Electronic structures in various coupled quantum box array systems including quantum-wire superlattices and planar superlattices are examined. The optimal choice of coupling and periodicity in such systems results in miniband structures with medium width E b and wide energy gap E g and is found to provide a novel method to substantially reduce the optical phonon scattering of electrons in semiconductors. Feasibility and significances of this approach are discussed.