Numerical studies of miniband conduction in quasi-one-dimensional superlattices

Monte Carlo simulations of electron motion in GaAs/AlAs superlattices with narrow mini-band width are performed to investigate the effect of a strong magnetic field on miniband conduction. In the quantum limit at low temperatures when the cyclotron energy exceeds the miniband width, the miniband conduction is found to exhibit a strong suppression. This results from the quasi-one-dimensional states formed in the quantum limit and the restricted range of the scattering processes available to the conduction electrons. A small shoulder on the lower electric field side of the main peak is also found in marked contrast with Esaki-Tsu and Ignatov models.