Physical model of quantum-well infrared photodetectors

A fully quantum mechanical model for electron transport in quantum well infrared photodetectors is presented, based on a self-consistent solution of the coupled rate equations. The important macroscopic parameters like current density, responsivity and capture probability can be estimated directly from this first principles calculation. The applicability of the model was tested by comparison with experimental measurements from a GaAs/AlGaAs device, and good agreement was found. The model is general and can be applied to any other material system or QWIP design.