Electron transport in quantum wire superlattices

Electronic transport is theoretically investigated in laterally confined semiconductor superlattices using the formalism of nonequilibrium Green’s functions. Velocity-field characteristics are calculated for nanowire superlattices of varying diameters, from the quantum dot superlattice regime to the quantum well superlattice regime. Scattering processes due to electron-phonon couplings, phonon anharmonicity, charged impurities, surface and interface roughness, and alloy disorder are included on a microscopic basis. Elastic scattering mechanisms are treated in a partial coherent way beyond the self-consistent Born approximation. The nature of transport along the superlattice is shown to depend dramatically on the lateral dimensionality. In the quantum wire regime, the electron velocity-field characteristics are predicted to deviate strongly from the standard Esaki-Tsu form. The standard peak of negative differential velocity is shifted to lower electric fields, while additional current peaks appear due to integer and fractional resonances with optical phonons.