Improved AlGaAs/GaAs double-barrier resonant tunneling structures using two-dimensional source electrons

Abstract

We report the enhancement of peak-to-valley current ratios (PVCRs) of double-barrier resonant tunneling structures (DBRTSs) based on the AlGaAs/GaAs material system. The PVCRs as high as 25.4 and 18 have been obtained at 77 K for superlattice and alloy barrier structures with 0.2-μm undoped electrodes, respectively. These are the largest PVCRs to date for AlGaAs/GaAs DBRTSs. The large band bending across the undoped electrodes causes size quantization of the accumulation layer, resulting in better resonant tunneling characteristics.