Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector with Optical Output

Abstract
A quantum well infrared photodetector which converts long-wavelength infrared radiation into short-wavelength infrared (or visible) radiation is considered. The quantum well infrared photodetector utilizes an intraband absorbtion of radiation in a quantum well in the emitter and interband emission in either classical or quantum well in the collector. It is shown that the efficiency of energy conversion of short-wavelength radiation into long-wavelength radiation can be about unity.