Microscopic derivation of transport coefficients and boundary conditions in discrete drift-diffusion models of weakly coupled superlattices

Abstract

A discrete drift-diffusion model is derived from a microscopic sequential tunneling model of charge transport in weakly coupled superlattices provided temperatures are low or high enough. Realistic transport coefficients and novel contact current--field characteristic curves are calculated from microscopic expressions, knowing the design parameters of the superlattice. Boundary conditions clarify when possible self-sustained oscillations of the current are due to monopole or dipole recycling.