Stark shifts and mean lifetimes for AlxGa1 − xAs/GaAs single quantum wells

Abstract

In a single square quantum well consisting of AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs the quantum-confined Stark shift and the mean lifetime are calculated for different applied electric fields using both analytic and numerical methods. Numerical methods based on finite difference and perturbation schemes are not suitable for calculating energies. The analytic method based on an Airy function approach is found to overestimate corrections to the energies in the low electric field region. The inverse power method based on a finite difference scheme is found to be accurate and powerful to estimate energies and wavefunctions. The barrier effective mass has a significant effect on energies, wavefunctions and mean lifetimes. The mean lifetimes calculated using both analytic and numerical methods show good agreement with each other.