Ratchet effects in quantum wells with a lateral superlattice

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical works on the ratchet effects in quantum wells with a lateral superlattice excited by alternating electric fields of terahertz frequency range has been reviewed. We discuss the Seebeck ratchet effect and helicity driven photocurrents and show that the photocurrent generation is based on the combined action of a spatially periodic in-plane potential and a spatially modulated light.