Terahertz intersubband transition in GaN/AlGaN step quantum well

The influences of polarization and structure parameters on the intersubband transition frequency within terahertz (THz) range and oscillator strength in GaN/AlGaN step quantum well have been investigated by solving Schrodinger and Poisson equations self-consistently. The results show that the Al mole compositions of step quantum well and space barrier have a significant effect on the THz intersubband transition frequency. A specific phenomenon is found that the minimum energy spacing between the ground state and first excited state can be achieved as the Al mole composition of space barrier is about twice of that of step well. In particular, an intersubband transition with energy of 19.8 meV (4.83 THz) can be obtained with specifically designed parameters. This specific phenomenon still exists in a wide range of step well width and a narrow range of well width with less than 3% fluctuation of the Al mole composition of barrier. In addition, oscillator strength and dipole matrix element versus the widths of well and step well, the influences of doping location and concentration on the absorption coefficient, are also investigated in detail in this study. The results should be of benefit to the design of devices operating in the THz frequency range. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC