Propagation of surface plasmons in a quantum collisional semiconductor plasma

Abstract

In this work, the propagation of surface plasmons in a quantum collisional semiconductor plasma is theoretically investigated using the quantum hydrodynamic model. The general dispersion equation of surface plasmons is deduced and solved in the presence of collisional effects and quantum tunneling of electrons and holes. It is shown that collisions play a significant role in the decay or growth of surface plasmons. Moreover, it is found that the quantum tunneling of electrons and holes increases the phase velocity, the group velocity, and the growth rate of instability. It is also indicated that the growth rate of instability is decreased with the increase of the ratio of hole density to electron density and the ratio of electron effective mass to hole effective mass.

Keywords:

• Quantum plasma
• semiconductor
• surface plasmon
• instability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).