Resonant tunnelling diodes for THz communications

Baba, Razvan (2018) Resonant tunnelling diodes for THz communications. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Resonant tunnelling diodes realised in the InGaAs/AlAs compound semiconductor system lattice-matched to InP substrates represent one of the fastest electronic solid-state devices, with demonstrated oscillation capability in excess of 2 THz.
Current state-of-the-art offers a poor DC-to-RF conversion efficiency. This thesis discusses the structural issues limiting the device performance and offers structural design optimums based on quantum transport modelling. These structures are viewed in the context of epitaxial growth limitations and their extrinsic oscillator performance. An advanced non-destructive characterisation
scheme based on low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy and high-resolution TEM is proposed to verify the epitaxial perfection of the proposed structure, followed by recommendations to improve the statistical process control, and eventually yield of these very high-current density mesoscopic devices. This work concludes with an outward look towards other compound semiconductor systems, advanced layer structures, and antenna designs.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grants EP/503812/1 and EP/L505055/1 DTA studentship, as well the European Commission Horizon 2020 iBROW project 645369.
• Keywords: resonant tunnelling diode, semiconductor characterisation, double barrier quantum well, compound semiconductors, electron device modelling.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics; T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering; T Technology > TP Chemical technology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Funder's Name: European Commission (EC)
• Supervisor's Name: Hogg, Professor Richard A.
• Date of Award: 2018
• Depositing User: Razvan Baba
• Unique ID: glathesis:2018-30870
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 08 Oct 2018 12:05
• Last Modified: 04 Oct 2019 08:54
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/30870