Recent results on superlattice transport and optoelectronics applications

Abstract Recent results involving miniband transport in superlattices at millimetre (mm) wave frequencies are reviewed. The miniband negative differential conductance up to very high frequencies allows for a new kind of device, the superlattice photo-oscillator. A practical application for optical to mm-wave conversion is demonstrated. An analysis of the intrinsic limitations in the transport processes led to recent progress in the understanding of superlattices physics involving Zener inter-miniband tunneling.