Dispersion and instability of electromagnetic waves in layered periodic semiconductor structures

The effect of carrier drift on the dispersive properties and instability of electromagnetic waves and plasma polaritons in infinite layered periodic semiconductors are considered. It is assumed that in similar semiconductor layers, carriers drift parallel to the interfaces. Drift waves are shown to have a specific band structure of the spectrum. The dispersive properties of collective plasma polaritons under drift are considered, the instability of the polaritons and drift waves is studied, and the instability increments are determined. (C) 2003 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".