Photostimulated Nernst effect in two-dimensional compositional semiconductor superlattices under the influence of confined phonons

Abstract

The photostimulated Nernst effect in compositional semiconductor superlattices under the influence of a confined acoustic phonon is studied by using the quantum kinetic equation. The case of the confined electron-confined acoustic phonon scattering process is examined in detail. The obtained analytical results reveal that the Nernst coefficient (NC) depends on the external field such as magnetic field B, the frequency Ω, and the amplitude E 0 of the electromagnetic wave in a complicated way but also like a function of the temperature of the system and the period of the superlattice. It also depends on the quantum number m-describing the confined acoustic phonon. The theoretical results are depicted and discussed for GaAs/AlxGa 1 − xAs compositional semiconductors superlattices. The results indicate that the Shubnikov-De hass oscillations have appeared. The confined phonons make the magnitude of the Nernst coefficient higher and more obvious than the case of a bulk phonon. In addition, the magneto-photon resonance condition is also proved. Besides, the Nernst coefficient decreases significantly as the temperature increases. The oscillations Nernst coefficient in a magnetic field are consistent with the previous experimental.