12 Facts About Quantum well

Quantum well is a potential well with only discrete energy values.

Classic model used to demonstrate a quantum well is to confine particles, which were initially free to move in three dimensions, to two dimensions, by forcing them to occupy a planar region.

The effects of quantum confinement take place when the quantum well thickness becomes comparable to the de Broglie wavelength of the carriers, leading to energy levels called "energy subbands", i e, the carriers can only have discrete energy values.

Wide variety of electronic quantum well devices have been developed based on the theory of quantum well systems.

Concept of quantum well was proposed in 1963 independently by Herbert Kroemer and by Zhores Alferov and R F Kazarinov.

Semiconductor quantum well was developed in 1970 by Esaki and Tsu, who invented synthetic superlattices.

Development of quantum well devices is greatly attributed to the advancements in crystal growth techniques.

Theory surrounding quantum well devices has led to significant advancements in the production and efficiency of many modern components such as light-emitting diodes, transistors for example.

Simple infinite well model provides a good starting point for analyzing the physics of quantum well systems and the effects of quantum confinement.

The model correctly predicts that the energies in the Quantum well are inversely proportional to the square of the length of the Quantum well.

Schrodinger equation for carriers within the Quantum well is unchanged compared to the infinite Quantum well model, except for the boundary conditions at the walls, which now demand that the wave functions and their slopes are continuous at the boundaries.

Quantum well can be fabricated as a saturable absorber using its saturable absorption property.