Numerical simulations of propagation of SCWs in strained Si/SiGe heterostructures at 4.2 and 77 K

Abstract

The negative differential conductance phenomenon that occurs in strained Si/SiGe hetrostructures at low temperatures, have been used to perform numerical simulations of the propagation and amplification of space charge waves (SCWs). The 2D numerical simulations indicate that amplification of SCWs on the surface of the heterostructure may occur up to frequencies of 40 GHz when cooled down to 77 K, and up to 44 GHz at 4.2 K.