Quantum drift-diffusion model for IMPATT devices

Abstract

Quantum correction is necessary on the classical drift-diffusion (CLDD) model to predict the accurate behavior of high frequency performance of ATT devices at frequencies greater than 200 GHz when the active layer of the device shrinks in the range of 150---350 nm. In the present work, a quantum drift-diffusion model for impact avalanche transit time (IMPATT) devices has been developed by incorporating appropriate quantum mechanical corrections based on density-gradient theory which macroscopically takes into account important quantum mechanical effects such as quantum confinement, quantum tunneling, etc. into the CLDD model. Quantum potentials (synonymous as Bohm potentials) have been incorporated in the current density equations as necessary quantum mechanical corrections for the analysis of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) and Terahertz (THz) IMPATT devices. It is observed that the large-signal (L-S) performance of the device is degraded due to the incorporation of quantum corrections into the model when the frequency of operation increases above 200 GHz; while the effect of quantum corrections are negligible for the devices operating at lower mm-wave frequencies.