Quantum well radiation detectors: assessment and perspectives

A discussion is given of two types of ionizing particle detectors, which are based on radiation-generated charge carrier capture into quantum wells of semiconductors. The principle of operation of the two detector types depends on the strength of the coupling between the quantum wells. The first, isolated quantum well detector, is based on fast electron–hole pair recombination into 2D excitons and their decay into light quanta. The second, coupled quantum well detector, is based on electron and hole hopping between quantum wells. The advantages and limitations of the detectors are discussed.