High-frequency quantum-well infrared photodetectors measured by microwave-rectification technique

A microwave-rectification method enables the study of the high-frequency capability of quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWPI's). The intrinsic lifetime for QWIP's, with a barrier thickness of 234-466 angstroms and about 4-32 number of wells, in the high-biasing field regime is 5-6 ps. The photodetectors have a fairly flat frequency response up to around 30 GHz. The lifetime values compare well with heterodyne experiment.