Abstract
Optically induced bistability in the electrical and optical characteristics of a (111)B piezoelectric, strained As-GaAs single-quantum-well p-i-n structure is reported. We demonstrate that the bistability results from photoinduced electron charge buildup in the quantum well. Charge buildup is enhanced relative to a (100) structure as a consequence of the modified band profile due to the large internal piezoelectric field. A region of hysteresis is observed in the current-voltage characteristics under illumination, with the device being stable in either low- or high-current states. Photoluminescence line-shape analysis and magneto-photoluminescence studies demonstrate that the low- and high-current states correspond to either high or near-zero electron charge () in the well, respectively. Simulations of the band profiles using the deduced values of are consistent with the existence of the two different current and charge accumulation states.
- Received 27 January 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.55.R16045
©1997 American Physical Society