Two color photodetector using an asymmetric quantum well structure

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Authors
Lantz, Kevin R.
Subjects
Quantum well
QWIP
Two-color detection
Infrared imager
Laser Spot Tracker
Transfer matrix method
Airy functions
Advisors
Karunasiri, Gamani
Date of Issue
2002-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The past twenty years have seen an explosion in the realm of infrared detection technology fueled by improvements in III-V semiconductor technology and by new semiconductor growth methods. One of the fastest growing areas of this research involves the use of bandgap engineering in order to create artificial quantum wells for use in Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs). QWIPs have an advantage over other infrared detectors such as Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) because they have larger bandgaps and are therefore stronger and cheaper to manufacture. This thesis introduces one method of "multi-color" detection through the use of an asymmetric quantum well structure in which all energy transitions are possible. The QWIP structure in this thesis was designed to detect a laser wavelength of 1.06 æm and a wavelength in the 8-10 æm atmospheric window. The relevance of a detector that is tuned to these wavelengths is that it can be used on military aircraft as a laser spot tracker and an infrared imager providing much greater accuracy and dependability than older systems.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Physics
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xvi, 71 p. : ill. (some col.) ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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