Quantum well
Videos
A quantum well is a potential well with only discrete energy values.
A heterostructure made from semiconductors AlGaAs (large band-gap) and GaAs (smaller band-gap) in a quantum well configuration. In the central GaAs region of length d, the conduction band energy is lower, and the valence band energy is higher. Therefore both electrons and holes can be confined in the GaAs region.
The first two energy states in an infinite well quantum well model. The walls in this model are assumed to be infinitely high. The solution wave functions are sinusoidal and go to zero at the boundary of the well.
A heterostructure made of AlAs and GaAs arranged in a superlattice configuration. In this case, the resulting periodic potential arises due to the difference in band-gaps between materials.
Image: MCM QW FINWELL
Gallium arsenide
Videos
Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is a III-V direct band gap semiconductor with a zinc blende crystal structure.
GaAs wafer of (100) orientation
Triple-junction GaAs cells covering MidSTAR-1