Global control of front propagation in gate-driven multilayered structures

Abstract

It is shown that a spatially distributed gate and active external control circuit allow for efficient control of the propagation of switch-on and switch-off fronts in gate-driven bistable pnpn-structures. For a voltage-driven gate circuit the front moves with a constant speed whose value and direction are controlled by the gate potential. We present simulations demonstrating that an external gate circuit can provide both positive and negative feedback on the front dynamics and allows for tuning between accelerated, decelerated, or oscillating fronts.