Multistability of conductance in doped semiconductor superlattices

Abstract

We use a simple nonlinear Kronig-Penney model to study multistability and discontinuity in the current-voltage characteristics of doped semiconductor superlattices in a homogeneous electric field. Nonlinearity in our model enters through a self-consistent potential used to describe the interaction of the effective electrons with charge accumulation in the doped layers. We show that the process of Wannier-Stark localization is slowed down by the nonlinear effect in the doped layers, and that the shrinking and destruction of minibands in the superlattice by the nonlinearity is related to the occurrence of discontinuity and multistability in the transport of electrons.