Effect of an electric field on electron and hole wave functions in a multiquantum well structure

Abstract

Electron and hole energy levels and eigenstates, and the overlap of electron and hole wave functions are calculated for four-well multiquantum well (MQW) structures assuming a uniform electric field with Airy function solutions. MQW are found to be much more sensitive to electric fields than single wells. Stark ladder formation is observed in the valence-band wells at low fields, and in the conduction band at high fields. It is found that the Δm=0 mode selection rule is violated by fields smaller than those thought to exist in MQW diode lasers.