Motion of Wavefronts in Semiconductor Superlattices

Abstract

An analysis of wavefront motion in weakly coupled doped semiconductor superlattices is presented. If a dimensionless doping is sufficiently large, the superlattice behaves as a discrete system presenting front propagation failure and the wavefronts can be described near the threshold currents $J_i$ ($i=1,2$) at which they depin and move. The wavefront velocity scales with current as $|J-J_i|^{{1\over 2}}$. If the dimensionless doping is low enough, the superlattice behaves as a continuum system and wavefronts are essentially shock waves whose velocity obeys an equal area rule.