Photoexcited Coherent Tunneling in a Double-Barrier Superlattice

Abstract

We have observed unambiguously the coherent tunneling of photoexcited electrons through an unequal ${\mathrm{Al}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ double-barrier superlattice structure. This observation confirms the Fabry-Perot quantum-mechanical interference mechanism in this system. On the basis of this result, a high-responsivity infrared photodetector can be designed with low dark current.