Ethan H. Cannon

Dissipative Chaos in Semiconductor Superlattices

We consider the motion of ballistic electrons in a miniband of a semiconductor superlattice (SSL) under the influence of an external, time-periodic electric field. We use a semiclassical, balance-equation approach, which incorporates elastic and inelastic scattering (as dissipation) and the self-consistent field generated by the electron motion. The coupling of electrons in the miniband to the self-consistent field produces a cooperative nonlinear oscillatory mode which, when interacting with the oscillatory external field and the intrinsic Bloch-type oscillatory mode, can lead to complicated dynamics, including dissipative chaos. For a range of values of the dissipation parameters we determine the regions in the amplitude-frequency plane of the external field in which chaos can occur. Our results suggest that for terahertz external fields of the amplitudes achieved by present-day free-electron lasers, chaos may be observable in SSL{close_quote}s. We clarify the nature of this interesting nonlinear dynamics in the superlattice{endash}external-field system by exploring analogies to the Dicke model of an ensemble of two-level atoms coupled with a resonant cavity field, and to Josephson junctions. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

Spontaneous dc Current Generation in a Resistively Shunted Semiconductor Superlattice Driven by a Terahertz Field

We study a resistively shunted semiconductor superlattice subject to a high-frequency electric field. Using a balance equation approach that incorporates the influence of the electric circuit, we determine numerically a range of amplitude and frequency of the ac field for which a dc bias and current are generated spontaneously and show that this region is likely accessible to current experiments. Our simulations reveal that the Bloch frequency corresponding to the spontaneous dc bias is approximately an integer multiple of the ac field frequency.

Symmetry-breaking and chaos in electron transport in semiconductor superlattices

Abstract We study the motion of ballistic electrons in a single miniband of a semiconductor superlattice (SSL) driven by a terahertz laser polarized along the growth direction. We work in the semiclassical balance-equation model, including different elastic and inelastic scattering rates, and incorporating the self-consistent electric field generated by electron motion. We explore regions of complex dynamics, which can include chaotic behavior and symmetry-breaking. Finally, we estimate the magnitude of the DC current and voltage that spontaneously appear in regions of broken-symmetry for parameters characteristic of real SSLs.

Fractional and unquantized dc voltage generation in THz-driven semiconductor superlattices

We consider the spontaneous creation of a dc voltage across a strongly coupled semiconductor superlattice subjected to THz radiation. We show that the dc voltage may be approximately proportional either to an integer or to a half-integer multiple of the frequency of the applied ac field, depending on the ratio of the characteristic scattering rates of conducting electrons. For the case of an ac field frequency less than the characteristic scattering rates, we demonstrate the generation of an unquantized dc voltage.

Dissipative chaos and symmetry breaking in ac-driven nanostructures

Abstract We present results of several recent numerical “balance equation” studies of the non-linear transport and dynamics of electrons in ac-driven nanostructures. Our studies reveal both deterministic chaos and “symmetry-breaking” ( i.e. , the development of a dc bias in response to a purely ac applied field) in parameter regimes accessible to present experiments.