Electroluminescence and impact ionization phenomena in a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure

Abstract

Electroluminescence (EL) due to impact ionization in the high field region of a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure is reported. Knowledge of the charge distribution in the structure enables a detailed analysis to be made of the impact ionization rate as a function of electric field. Large peak-to-valley ratios of 15:1 in the EL emission intensity from the quantum well active region are observed.