Motion of wave fronts in semiconductor superlattices

Abstract

An analysis of wave front 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 wave fronts can be described near the threshold currents J(i) (i= 1,2) at which they depin and move. The wave front velocity scales with current as \J-J(i)\(1/2). If the dimensionless doping is low enough, the superlattice behaves as a continuum system and wave fronts are essentially shock waves whose velocity obeys an equal area rule.