Modeling of cross-well carrier transport in a multiple quantum well modulator

A self-consistent time and spatially resolved model is developed to explain the nature of cross-well transport in multiple quantum well devices. It is this cross-well transport that sets fundamental limits on the speed of such devices. This model is solved numerically to obtain a fit to experimental excite-probe data. A good fit to rise times is obtained with resonant tunneling features predicted and observed. It is also predicted that as the transient features in the transmission data relax, many carriers are still bound in the quantum wells.