Heterojunction acoustic charge transport devices on GaAs

• Published in: Applied physics letters 1988-01, Vol.52 (1), p.18-20
• Main Authors: TANSKI, W. J, MERRITT, S. W, SACKS, R. N, CULLEN, D. E, BRANCIFORTE, E. J, CARROLL, R. D, ESCHRICH, T. C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Charge transfer devices; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.99325

We have demonstrated a new type of buried-channel acoustic charge transport device in which charge is transported in an (Al,Ga)As/GaAs/(Al,Ga)As heterojunction channel. Traveling-wave potential wells, associated with a surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagating on the 〈100〉 surface of a GaAs crystal, transport electrons at the SAW velocity by means of a large-signal acoustoelectric interaction. Heterojunction acoustic charge transport (HACT) delay lines have been fabricated, and the transport of charge demonstrated. Charge packets with up to 16×106 electrons/cm were measured in a delay 1.4 μs long. The HACT device is much simpler, the transport channel is more reliably produced (by molecular beam epitaxy or metalorganic chemical vapor deposition), and the device has potential for higher dynamic range when compared to the previously developed acoustic charge transport technology. This new device type is useful for the implementation of high-speed monolithic signal processors.