Space charge waves in a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

This paper uses field theory to derive the exact dispersion relation of space charge waves in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) located in a dielectric or a dissimilar dielectric waveguide. It is found that the dispersion of a 2DEG can be modeled accurately using the free-electron sheet model, which is further confirmed by the almost identical polarizability of a 2DEG and of a free-electron sheet with zero drift velocity. Transitions among the well-known 2DEG dispersion, the beam mode in vacuum electronics, and Gould–Trivelpiece mode in plasma physics are demonstrated by varying the 2DEG density and direct current drift velocity. The effects of waveguide dimensions are also presented. Our method is general and can be applied to find the dispersion relation of 2DEG with arbitrary drift velocity (governed by electric field and scattering) in more complex circuits. Our study provides insight into the design of electromagnetic wave devices and circuits involving a 2DEG.