Photorefractive multiple quantum wells for high-speed spatial light modulator applications

Abstract

A simple analytical model to explain the spatial resolution of photorefractive MQW devices in terms of lateral drift of carriers has been developed and compared to a wide variety of experimental results. It appears that some low temperature grown (LTG) MQW experimental devices have reached their theoretical resolution limit of 4 /spl mu/m, but at the expense of increased sensitivity has been achieved by using undoped MQW (to promote longitudinal carrier screening) and distributing LTG trapping layers at several planes along the growth direction (to reduce lateral drift). These devices have achieved their theoretical resolution with increased sensitivity; models for their performance agree with experimental results.