Transport modeling of multiple-quantum-well optically addressed spatial light modulators

A transient, two-dimensional drift-diffusion model is developed for optically addressed spatial light modulators made with quantum-well materials. The transport of free and well-confined carriers is considered along with nonlinear transport effects such as velocity saturation, field-dependent carrier escape from quantum wells, and resonant absorption. In addition to full numerical solutions to the transport equations, analytical and simplified numerical solutions are developed to describe basic screening behavior and to give estimates of speed and resolution performance. In particular, a self-consistent small signal model is developed to justify the surface-charge picture often used to describe device operation. This model is also used to simulate grating formation and decay. It is found that the maximum screening rate and peak grating amplitude are achieved using vertical drift lengths much longer than the device length. A detailed analysis of resolution performance is also given in which the effects of ...