TCAD Simulation of Multiple Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP)

Abstract

We demonstrate the capabilities of SILVACO TCAD tools for the design and simulation of intersubband GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well infrared photodetectors. We compute the photoconductive gain spectrum of the device self consistently with the charge flow, non-radiative capture-escape, and intersubband transitions in the active region. The solid state calculations provide input to a light propagation modeling tool that allows for multiple reflections in the layered geometry of the active region. From this full calculation, we extract light absorption and quantum efficiency as a function of the angle of incidence and the wavelength of a mono-spectral beam of light. This TCAD simulation can be used as a starting point by design engineers for obtaining guide lines to analyze and optimize quantum well infrared photodetectors.

Keywords: Intersubband transitions, QWIP, Capture-Escape, k.p, TCAD, Zincblende (z.b), Superlattice